Learning Links celebrates 50 years of dedicated service to children with additional needs

Learning Links, a parent-founded non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to empowering children with learning difficulties and disabilities to reach their full potential, recently celebrated 50 years of compassionate and committed service to the community. 

Founded in 1972 by a group of parents concerned about the lack of education and support services to meet their children’s needs, the organisation was originally named the Association for Children with Aphasic and Perceptual Difficulties and later the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD), before taking on the Learning Links name in 1997.

 

“From the start, Learning Links has provided a supportive, accepting and understanding community for children, parents and families,” CEO Birgitte Maibom shared. 

 

“This community has grown significantly over our history, but the foundations have stayed the same, with many parents still saying now that Learning Links has given them somewhere to turn when they didn’t know where else to go.”

 

Starting with annual camps to directly help and understand children facing difficulties with their learning, the founders soon identified that the best way to help children was through multi-disciplinary centres to allow specialists to work together so each child experienced the best possible outcomes.

 

Fifty years on, Learning Links now operates its inclusive preschool and five learning centres across Sydney, with outreach services and professional development in schools and across communities in New South Wales, Australia and beyond.

 

The organisation’s vision is a community where learning difficulties are no longer a barrier to a fulfilling life, with a team of teachers and early childhood educators, psychologists and therapists working tirelessly to provide evidence-based interventions to empower children to thrive.

 

With generous funding from the community, over 1,500 of the children reached last year were able to access much-needed programs run in local schools.

 

“We are so proud of the 50 years of support we have provided for families in need, but with up to 15 per cent of children experiencing difficulties with their learning, there is still a big job ahead of us,” Ms Maibom continued. 

 

“Children with learning difficulties face challenges that can lead to a future of disadvantage. We will continue to offer high-quality, evidence-based services and advocate on their behalf, to ensure they have the opportunities that they deserve. We thank all of our partners for supporting us in our mission.”

 

Learning Links hosted an anniversary celebration in Hurstville, paying homage to the organisation’s heartland. Members of the Learning Links team were joined by Patrons - Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, Mr Dennis Wilson and Georges River Mayor Cr Nick Katris - along with; supporters, community and government partners to mark the occasion, reflect on Learning Links’ history and look to the future as the organisation continues to support the three to four children in every classroom who face difficulties with learning.

 

Learn more about Learning Links here. 

 

Image features: Birgitte with Learning Links patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Aunty Deanna Schreiber.