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Who we are

Belongside Families is an independent, not-for-profit peer support organisation for families of children with disability, developmental delays and autism. We help families to navigate complex disability systems and services and build the skills, knowledge and confidence that will see their children and family thrive. Our peer groups and programs, trusted resources, and supportive community are online and free. We're passionate about all children and families living their best lives and discovering a future full of possibility.⁠

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What we do

Support

Parenting a child with disability or developmental delay can feel overwhelming. Our trained Peer Workers can help you to navigate the various systems and services, understand your child's disability and provide guidance in accessing community and mainstream supports.

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Connection

We know that connecting with like-minded parents and caregivers can change everything. We provide opportunities for families to come together for support and to share and learn from each other. Our peer groups are delivered online and are a safe and inclusive space.

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Education

Our online programs, workshops and webinars are based on best practice, evidence-based approaches. We believe in empowering families, so they are equipped to navigate systems and have the skills needed for self-advocacy.

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Resources

Drawn from the lived experiences of our team and families, our practical tip sheets and resources can assist you in making informed choices. The stories shared by parents and people with disability can help you to feel more positive and hopeful for your child and family’s future.

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No family should start their journey alone

Help us reach families navigating a new disability diagnosis for their child.

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A word from our community

Belongside Families is a trusted and safe place to access invaluable information and support to help our family thrive.

“This is my protected timeslot. It is saved in my calendar and my partner knows that this is a non-negotiable for me. I have learnt so much from everyone in the group and I love being able to share and help other parents.” 

I just wanted to thankyou for what you are doing. It was wonderful to come across a page that is so positive! I get so overwhelmed and depressed with so many groups but this one has really helped and encouraged me. Thank you.

Belongside Families’s workshops have been practical and specific. The fact that the team are all parents with a disabled child themselves makes them a unique organisation. They create a culture of acceptance and acknowledgement, by sharing their experience with disability and valuing ours. It’s this sense of community that has helped me normalise and acknowledge the challenges. They are knowledgeable and connected and have helped connect me with other services.

My experience with Belongside Families has been AMAZING! When my children were diagnosed it was very much a “what now?” response. All of the therapies targeted them, but I knew that I was a huge part of their life so why wasn’t there any help/training/advice for ME? Like if I was able to do MY best then how much better could they be?! Belongside Families was that for me.

Belongside Families provides a much-needed source of positive parenting information and community support for special needs families. I highly recommend this invaluable service.

Connecting with Belongside Families and the wonderful empowering programs they run, and resources has been life changing for our family.

Belongside Families has provided the platforms to challenge old thoughts, tackle and create new ones! Thank you.

Belongside Families has created an essential community for parents and carers. The team at Belongside Families have created a village for families walking a similar path. Some are a little further along than others and some are deep in the trenches just be starting to navigate their way.  But although every family’s path is different, we are all walking together in solidarity. This community creates strength & moves us forward with hope. When we have the right support, anything is possible.

I love being able to learn off other parents. I equally, if not slightly more, love being able to help other parents. It feels so good to be connected to a community – to MY community – through Belongside Families. I’ve had chat conversations with strangers for an hour who I’ve helped solve problems with, and vice versa. It’s such a crucial network for our well-being as parents and when we feel in control and informed them, we can support our kids to the best of our abilities.

Feeling connected with other like-minded & supportive other parents who are living similar (never the same) experiences, is empowering and comforting – I no longer feel alone – Thank you Belongside Families for assisting me to feel engaged & connected.  Since becoming a member of the Belongside Families family, I have been able to improve my skills as a parent of a child with a disability and strengthen my attitude to be a ‘can-do’ motivated & confident parent!

All the information that is provided is valued and I can become a bigger advocate for both of boys who have disabilities but also a more confident and stronger advocate for the disability community.

Belongside Families is a trusted and safe place to access invaluable information and support to help our family thrive.

“This is my protected timeslot. It is saved in my calendar and my partner knows that this is a non-negotiable for me. I have learnt so much from everyone in the group and I love being able to share and help other parents.” 

Sign-up to our newsletter

Don’t worry, we’re not here to overload your inbox. What you’ll get from us will be inspiring stories, details of upcoming events, helpful resources and other opportunities to be part of our community. From our family to yours, every fortnight or so.

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Join our community facebook group

To connect, celebrate and learn with parents and carers on their own beautiful journeys. Ours is a safe space where you can come to ask advice and share experiences on anything from your child's diagnosis to navigating the NDIS.

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✨ Meet Kelly: Parent Education Program at Belongside Families ✨ ⁠
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Kelly’s career began in music education before she moved into the primary classroom, teaching children in their early years. But it was becoming a parent that ultimately shaped the direction of her work in a way she never expected. ⁠
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🤷 After the birth of her third child, Lachie, Kelly experienced firsthand the gaps in the system for parents of children with disability. She knew she couldn’t be the only parent feeling unsure and overwhelmed. Wanting to better support others on a similar path, she went on to study Counselling and is now completing a Master of Social Work. ⁠
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☕ Now in the role of Parent Education Program Manager, Kelly is looking forward to meeting families from the Belongside Community, supporting their needs and learning from their experiences. ⁠
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🎵 A fun fact about Kelly is that she is a trained classical singer and spent most of her youth on stage. ⁠
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⛄ Outside of work, Kelly loves holidaying with her family – especially if it is in a snow-capped village with massive snowflakes that are truly spectacular! ⁠
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🧡 Kelly hopes that through her work families will continue to benefit well into the future from the safe, knowledgeable, inclusive and supportive spaces Belongside Families creates. ⁠
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Everyone on our team is raising a child with disability, delay, or autism. That lived experience is at the heart of everything we do — and it’s what makes Belongside Families different. ⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #BelongsideFamiliesTeam
Wishing all the children heading back to school the best of luck for Term 2! We see your courage, your curiosity, and your spark — you’ve got this! ⁠
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To our amazing Belongside families, we know the return to routine can be a big shift. Take it slow. Take it gently. One step at a time is more than enough. There’s no perfect way just your way, and that’s more than okay.⁠
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Here’s to a term full of small wins, soft landings, and shared strength. ⁠
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🧡 Head to the Linkin.bio to join us over in the Belongside Community to connect with others who understand ⁠
A gentle reminder these school holidays 🧡⁠
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You can connect with other families navigating the school holidays over in our private FB community. Simply visit the Linkin.bio⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #FindingJoyInTheJourney #KidsWithDisabilities #SpecialNeeds #AdditionalNeeds #ReframingDisability
✨ Meet Leila: Marketing & Communications Manager at Belongside Families ✨ ⁠
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For most of her 15-year marketing career, Leila has worked in the not-for-profit space, drawn to work that makes a positive change. She began her career at a Sydney agency, working with charity clients, before moving to London, where she led campaigns for UNICEF UK that helped improve the lives of children and communities worldwide. ⁠
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👩‍👦 After her son’s diagnosis, she began attending Belongside Families’ workshops. Leila never expected that what started as a way to support her son would lead to a new chapter, where she could combine her lived experience and professional skills to support other families. ⁠
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📖 Leila's fingerprints can be found across almost all of Belongside Families’ social media, resources, and campaigns. She loves being a part of sharing the stories of people with disability and their families and is proud that some of these stories have reached over 100,000 people. ⁠
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🚕 A fun fact about Leila is that she gave birth to her son in New York—and even took a yellow cab to the hospital.⁠
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🍽️ Outside of work, she loves eating delicious meals, cooking, and travelling — passions she combines whenever she can! ⁠
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🧡 She hopes that families who come across Belongside see themselves reflected in our work and the experiences we share. And, in turn, feel less alone on their journey. ⁠
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Everyone on our team is raising a child with disability, delay, or autism. That lived experience is at the heart of everything we do — and it’s what makes Belongside Families different. ⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #BelongsideFamiliesTeam
Join us for Session 2 in our School Can't Webinar Series tomorrow night⁠
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If your child is struggling to go to school, or if mornings are filled with anxiety, shutdowns, or distress, you’re not alone. Tiffany Westphal—parent, social worker, and Director of School Can’t Australia will unpack how stress affects your child’s nervous system, why return-to-school plans often fall short and where to find the right support for your child and yourself.⁠
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👉 Register to attend live or receive the recording via the Linkin.bio⁠
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If you missed out on the first session, it's not too late to catch up on the recording. Visit our bio to sign-up to receive the replay. ⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #DisabilityEducation #DisabilityAdvocacy #AutismEducation #SchoolCant #SchoolRefusal
From our families to yours, wishing you all a beautiful Easter 🐰⁠
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#BelongsideCommunity #BelongsideFamilies #ByFamiliesForFamilies #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #ParentingDisability #AccessibleEaster
What if this school holidays we focused on the little things?⁠
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🧡 If you're looking to connect with other parents navigating the school holidays, visit us over in the community. Our private facebook group of parents of children with disability, delay and autism.⁠
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#BelongsideFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #FindingJoyInTheJourney #KidsWithDisabilities #SpecialNeeds #AdditionalNeeds #ReframingDisability
✨ Meet Andie: Project and Event Coordinator at Belongside Families ✨ ⁠
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Andie comes from a varied background combining creative endeavours, organisation and management skills in fashion, HR and media. Her journey as a mum of two autistic children led her to Belongside Families. ⁠
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👩‍👦 When her youngest son, Sebastian, was first diagnosed, Andie attended workshops and peer groups to better understand how to support him and her family. That search for knowledge ultimately brought her to Belongside Families, where she now helps ensure other families have access to the same invaluable support. ⁠
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🗓️ In her role at Belongside Families, Andie manages all our projects and events – sometimes overseeing more than 100 each term. She thrives on scheduling, organisation and problem solving so everything (and everyone!) stays on track and families can focus on receiving the support they need. ⁠
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📷 A fun fact about Andie is she is an award-winning toy photographer. She collects action figures and uses them in her photography. ⁠
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📘 Outside of work, Andie’s interests include pop culture, fashion and photography. She is also a walking celebrity encyclopaedia. ⁠
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🧡 Andie hopes that the events she organises give families access to the information and support they need, making things just that little bit easier.⁠
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Everyone on our team is raising a child with disability, delay, or autism. That lived experience is at the heart of every workshop, resource, and program we create — and it’s what makes Belongside Families different. ⁠
The autumn school holidays are here — and Term 1 has flown!⁠
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We’ve hosted over 100 peer groups, workshops and webinars so far this year. Whether you joined a MyTime session, attended a workshop or tuned into a webinar — thank you for being part of an incredible start to the year.⁠
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The Team at Belongside Families be taking a short break over the holidays as we put the finishing touches on our Term 2 events — and carve out some time to enjoy the holidays with our own families. We hope you're able to do the same.⁠
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And while we might be a little quieter, don’t forget, our community is always here whenever you need connection, support or a reminder that you’re not alone. 🧡