WHISPa is a peer support group that aims to help students who are deaf or hearing impaired prepare for the continuing challenges of school life and teenage years, and to handle these effectively.

It was formed in early 2006 by a group of older students on service at the Cora Barclay Centre and has developed an ambitious program of leadership training and mentoring. WHISPa has attracted funding support from the state government and philanthropic bodies for this purpose.

The WHISPa program of social and personal development activities will be continually informed by the results from a survey of students receiving support from the Cora Barclay Centre that was conducted in early 2007 to ensure that their time and energy was genuinely aligned to students’ needs and interests. As one of the founding members says: “We want to help kids realise their full potential. We want to help them understand that the stumbling blocks of failure are the stepping stones to achievement”.

If you are interested in joining or supporting WHISPa, please contact Desiree Maingot, WHISPa Coordinator, at dmaingot@corabarclay.com.au or by telephone on Tuesdays & Wednesdays on 08 8267 9200.