HCF has announced a new partnership with The Smith Family, a national charity focused on children’s education.
This collaboration is part of HCF’s broader strategy to enhance community health by addressing education, a key factor influencing long-term health outcomes.
Over the next three years, HCF will provide support for 1,500 students through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
The program offers financial, educational, and personal assistance to students experiencing disadvantage. It includes access to necessary educational resources and targeted programs to keep students engaged throughout their schooling.
This partnership reflects the insurer’s commitment to fostering societal change through improved health and educational opportunities.
HCF CEO Sheena Jack emphasised the importance of this partnership, particularly in light of the current economic pressures that many Australians face.
“In a time of growing affordability challenges and uncertainty, many Australians are finding it tough to pay the bills while maintaining access to quality healthcare and education,” she said.
Additionally, HCF employees will have opportunities to participate in volunteer activities organised by The Smith Family.
Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, welcomed the partnership, highlighting its potential to deliver long-term benefits for students and families.
“Education is one of the most powerful change agents to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. By missing out on access to books and learning materials at home, students experiencing disadvantage can fall behind with their learning, affecting their confidence and making it harder for them to gain the skills they need to create a secure future,” he said.
The partnership was launched at HCF’s office in Parramatta, a region where many of the insurer’s employees are based.
Jack said that HCF’s involvement in the Parramatta region is part of a broader effort to tackle social issues such as education, which directly impact community health.
“With nearly 350 of our employees working and living in Parramatta, we are passionate about and invested in this diverse region,” she said.
Nationwide, around 63,000 students currently benefit from the Learning for Life scholarships, with a massive portion living in Western Sydney.
In addition to addressing educational needs, HCF recently conducted research highlighting significant mental health challenges among primary school children.
The study found that more than a third (36%) of primary students experienced stress or unhappiness related to school due to mental health issues in the past year, with nearly a quarter (24%) facing such distress weekly.
It also revealed that mental health issues are affecting school attendance. Almost 30% of parents reported that their child was late to school due to mental health challenges, with nearly 20% saying this happened weekly. About 26% of parents noted partial school-day absences, while nearly 30% reported full-day absences due to these issues.
Rebecca Short, a clinical psychologist, explained that school attendance problems are often linked to numerous factors, including mental health disorders and neurodiversity.
“It’s critical to recognise that children are not just staying home because they don’t like school – and that there is significant distress for both parents and children struggling with school attendance,” she said.
The study also pointed to difficulties in accessing mental health services, with over a third (35%) of parents not seeking help for their child’s mental health issues.
Linda Opie, head of health and wellbeing at HCF, highlighted the importance of making mental health services more accessible.
“By offering convenient access to a range of mental health services and family support, we can empower families to choose what’s right for them to effectively navigate these difficult situations,” she said.
