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Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (funded by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) is making significant strides with its community-led and co-designed Jiji Program, which delivers occupational therapy and speech therapy to remote Martu communities such as Newman, Nullagine, Jigalong, Punmu, Parnngurr and Kunawarritji.

Tarin Dempers, a senior occupational therapist at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS), explains the importance of using a culturally relevant, community-led approach to service design and delivery. “The program has been co-designed with Martu. This has been possible through building deep relationships, holding conversations in the Pilbara red dirt, employing Jiji support workers and using a ‘brain map’ and regulation tools,” Tarin said.

“This unique approach integrates neuroscience, polyvagal theory, and child developmental theory to address trauma, healing, and regulation for children, families, and the community.”

Co-design and community-led models are vital in ensuring that healthcare services for these remote communities are not only effective but also sustainable. By involving the community in the development and implementation of these programs, it builds trust, enhances relevance, and empowers local people. This is particularly important in First Nations communities, where understanding cultural context and fostering community ownership can lead to more profound and lasting impacts.

The Jiji Program’s success is evident in its reach and engagement. With more than 80 children referred, 59 enrolled, and 40 actively engaged in therapy, the program emphasises family-based therapy within a community development model. “This approach ensures capacity building, job creation, and sustainability,” Tarin said.

Empowering Martu women, mothers, and carers to become Jiji support workers ensures that knowledge remains within the community and that therapy is both relational and meaningful.

“One of the women I work with said, ‘When we heal, we can help children heal’,” she shared.

“It provides space for resourcing and regulation from trauma, fostering healing within the community.”

Despite significant challenges for healthcare delivery in the Pilbara, Tarin’s dedication is steadfast. “Communities serviced by PAMS are often accessible only by 4WD or small planes, with some, like Kunawarritji, being approximately 800km from Newman and accessible via unsealed roads,” she said. “Newman is the major service town in the region, dominated by the mining industry. The limited access to healthcare services, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and paediatricians, underscores the importance of the Jiji Program.”

Tarin’s journey to the Pilbara began after a life changing trip to rural WA. “I went to Kalbarri on a holiday and fell in love with the red dirt,” she said. “The vibrant landscape captivated me. I think as soon as my feet hit the Pilbara red soil, I was hooked.”

Tarin sought a role that would allow her to leverage her academic background, while immersing herself in the desert, both professionally and personally. “I completed a Master of International Development through RMIT University in Melbourne, where my thesis was a participatory evaluation project with people with leprosy and other disabilities in Tamil Nadu, India,” she said.

“This experience cemented my desire to work within a community development model, recognising the importance of understanding and exploring Australian contexts, roots, and knowledge within remote communities.”

For those considering a career in rural health, Tarin suggests jumping right in. “The skills and tools I’ve developed, the deep belly laughs, and deep sorrow I have found in the desert make this work so special.”

“Learning from Martu, learning to sit and listen and be still, to unlearn everything I thought I knew about relationships, trust, and healing – the deep connections and sense of purpose I have found have made it all worthwhile.”

Disclaimer: Please note the purpose of use for photographs: The photographs provided by KJ are to be used exclusively for the article about the PAMS Jiji program. They are not to be repurposed, reused, or redistributed for any other cause, campaign, or promotional activity outside this article.

Acknowledgement of Country