More accessible and locally-led support has become available for children and families in northern Western Australia .

Variety WA, a charity that supports children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disability overcome barriers, has expanded its regional footprint with a new office in the Kimberley region.

The new premises marks a significant step for the organisation's strategy to embed dedicated staff within regional communities, ensuring support is delivered faster, more effectively and tailored for local needs.

In the past 12 months, more than 15,000 children across WA - including more than 4,500 living in regional and remote communities - were supported by Variety WA.

Assistance was provided to more than 550 children in the Kimberley region, highlighting the level of need for and importance of a permanent local presence.

Children living in regional and remote areas continue to face heightened barriers to health, education and disability support, with distance and limited services often delaying access at critical stages of development.

Variety WA's regional engagement officer in the Kimberley, Trudi Ridge, a Yawuru / Karajarri Traditional Owner, said the local presence was critical to building trust in communities and delivering meaningful outcomes.

"In remote communities, trust comes before support," Ms Ridge said.

"When families feel understood and respected, they're far more likely to engage early.

"Being here on the ground give us the opportunity to work alongside communities and deliver support in a way that genuinely meets their needs."

Variety WA's regional model was already established across the Mid-West and Goldfields, with continued investment planned to strengthen support in the Great Southern.

Chief executive Chris Chatterton said the expansion into the Kimberley reflected the organisation's deliberate shift towards regional delivery, with further expansion into the Pilbara expected by the end of the year.

A new office in Albany is also scheduled for 2027, in line with Variety WA's growth plans to strengthen support across regional WA.

"Having a presence on the ground changes everything," Mr Chatterton said.

"It means we can respond earlier, work more closely with local communities and ensure support is delivered in a way that creates real impact for children and their families."

Much of Variety WA's support was delivered through grants to individuals, schools and community organisations, helping remove practical barriers to participation. This included specialised equipment and learning resources, to community-led initiatives.

With more than $3.7 million in requests for assistance received in 2025, demand for services across regional WA continued to grow, reinforcing the need for a strong and sustained regional presence.

"Our focus is on ensuring every child has access to the support they need, regardless of where they live," Mr Chatterton said.

"Expanding into regions like the Kimberley and continuing to grow in areas such as the Great Southern, is how we deliver on that commitment."