“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.”
Who we are
Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is a family-led organisation that empowers parents and carers of children with disability by providing connection, knowledge, and support. We believe that when families thrive, children thrive. Through peer support, education, and resources, we help families navigate their journey with confidence.
Our peopleNo family should start their journey alone
Help us reach families navigating a new disability diagnosis for their child.
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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.
Subscribe nowJoin 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.
Join nowFollow us
@belongsidefamilies Do you want to feel more confident in navigating your child’s early education through childcare, daycare or preschool? Join our new workshop designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to work in partnerships and effectively champion your child`s inclusion and participation.
During our Interactive workshop, you`ll learn how to:
✅️ Recognise the crucial role you play in your child`s educational journey
✅️ Build strong partnerships with ECEC providers
✅️ Advocate effectively for your child`s needs
✅️ Collaborate with therapists to enhance your child`s experience
Register today for our upcoming daytime or evening session:
📅 Thu, 27 Mar, 10:30am - 12:30pm
📅 Tue, 1 Apr, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio
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#KidsWithDisabilities #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #BelongsideFamilies #DisabilityEducation #InclusiveEducation #EarlyIntervention
Mar 17
📢 Upcoming Events: While our name has changed we are still here, supporting, empowering, and walking beside you, with a packed line up of events.
🎉 Find out more & register visiting the link in our bio.
🔶 Connect & Chat: Virtual MyTime
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🔶 Central Coast Catch-Ups: Face-to-Face
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🔶 Building Your Child’s Confidence: Virtual MyTime
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🔶 Working Together in Early Education: Workshop
**SAVE THE DATE**
🔶 What to Do If It’s Not Working: ECEC Webinar Series
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🔶 Introduction to Advocacy: Workshop
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🔶 What to Do If It’s Not Working: School Webinar Series
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🔶 Working Together in Schools: Workshop
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🔶 Medical Trauma & Parenting: Info Session
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🔶 Healthy Mothers Healthy Families: Workshops
🔔 Note: All times are AEDT / NSW Time.
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #ParentingDisability #MyTime #CheckInAndConnect #DisabilityAwareness #ConnectAndChat #DropInAndChat #AutismParentingTips #CareGiverSupport #DisabilityParenting #DisabilityEducation #InclusiveEducation
Mar 16
Advocacy might seem like a big word, but every time you speak up for your child with a disability, that`s exactly what you`re doing.
Join our interactive Introduction to Advocacy Workshop to:
🔸 Break down the different types of advocacy
🔸 Share practical strategies and communication techniques for different settings
🔸 Build the tools and confidence to advocate effectively for your child
📅 Mon, 1 April
🕒 11:00 am – 12:30 pm AEDT
✏️ Register via Linkin.bio
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#KindredCommunity #KindredforFamilies #ByFamiliesForFamilies #ReframingDisability #ParentingDisability #FamilySupport #DisabilityAdvocacy #AdvocateLikeAMother #InclusiveEducation #DisabilityEducation
Mar 14
Join Prof. Helen Bourke-Taylor from Monash University, creator of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Program, for an empowering info session on managing stress and integrating small but impactful moments of self-care into your day.
You’ll learn how to:
✨ Unique ways that mothers experience and respond to stress
✨ Looking out for `glimmers` in your day to reduce your stress response
✨ How to identify opportunities for Micro Breaks (small but impactful moments of self-care) and when to implement them in your daily routine.
✨ The key components of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Program, that have helped thousands of mothers enhance their wellbeing while managing their caregiving responsibilities
📅 Thu, 13 Mar | 🕛 12pm - 12:30pm NSW
🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio to register to attend live or receive a copy of the recording.
This event is part of the Belongside Families Info Sessions—featuring expert speakers sharing valuable insights to help you confidently navigate services and support for your child and family.
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#HealthyMothersHealthyFamilies #HMHF #SpecialNeedsMum#SpecialNeedsMama #MedicalMama #DisabilityMama #DisabilityMum #HealthyMothers #MonashUni #ForFamiliesByFamilies
Mar 11
📢 Upcoming Events: While our name has changed, our purpose remains the same. We are still here, supporting, empowering, and walking beside you, just as we always have been – and always will.
🎉 Find out more about the events starting over the next 2 weeks and beyond so you can put the dates in your calendar!
🔶 Building Strong Partnerships with ECEC Providers: Webinar
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🔶 Connect & Chat: Virtual MyTime
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🔶 Envisage: Workshop
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🔶 Managing Daily Life: Virtual MyTime
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🔶 Building Collaborative School Partnerships: Webinar
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🔶 The Power of Micro Breaks for Mothers: Info Session
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🔶 Central Coast Catch-Ups: Face-to-Face
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🔶 Understanding Neuroaffirming Care: Virtual Autism MyTime
**SAVE THE DATE
🔶 Working Together in Early Education: ECEC Workshop
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🔶 What to Do If It’s Not Working: ECEC Webinar Series
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🔶 What to Do If It’s Not Working: School Webinar Series
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🔶 Healthy Mothers Healthy Families: Workshops
✏️ Register today via Linkin.bio
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #MyTime #CheckInAndConnect #DisabilityAwareness #ConnectAndChat #DropInAndChat #AutismParentingTips #CareGiverSupport #DisabilityParenting #DisabilityEducation #InclusiveEducation
Mar 9
At Belongside Families, we are committed to walking alongside you. Why? Because we know just how transformational it is to connect with other parents and carers who truly understand—because they’re walking this journey too.
Our Connect & Chat sessions offer a safe, welcoming space to ask questions, seek guidance, share experiences, and feel heard. Most importantly, they’re a place of connection. Come when you can, leave when you need - we`ll be here.
Join an upcoming session:
📅 Mon, 10 Mar, 12:00pm
📅 Mon, 17 Mar, 12:00pm
📅 Wed, 20 Mar, 7:00pm
🔗 Register via the link in bio
Mar 7
Building a strong partnership between your family and your child’s school is essential for advocating for their needs and supporting their educational journey.
Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is proud to partner with @koorana_child_and_family as part of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network for an online webinar to learn how to build and maintain effective relationships with teachers and school staff.
🗣 In this session, Zoe Jarocki, experienced Occupational Therapy Practice Lead at Koorana will be joined by Pam, a parent from the Belongside Community. Together they’ll share real-life examples and practical strategies that will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to build strong partnerships with your child’s school and advocate effectively to ensure their needs are met through their primary school years.
✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:
📌 Session 3: Building Collaborative Partnerships: School Webinar Series
🗓 Wednesday, 12 March, 12:30pm – 1:00 pm
👉 Find out more and register via Linkin.bio
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This series is brought to you by Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred), a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN). ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC, and ACT.
Mar 6
👨👩👦 FREE support for families raising children with disability
We are Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred)—an independent, not-for-profit organisation for families, by families raising children with disability.
Through our free programs, we support, connect and empower families at every stage of their journey.
🔸 Peer Support Groups
Connect with fellow parents and carers through our Virtual MyTime groups and in-person meet-ups. Seek support, share and learn together.
🔸 Workshops & Webinars
Build your knowledge and confidence by learning from the lived experience of other parents combined with best practice and evidence-based approaches.
🔸 Trusted Information & Resources
Our practical resources and inspiring stories empower families with the information and tools they need to make informed choices and navigate the day-to-day realities of raising a child with disability.
🔸 Our Online Community
A private, moderated Facebook group where families can ask questions, share experiences, and find support 24/7.
🔗 Visit Linkin.bio to find out more
🧡 Help us reach more families!
If you’ve found support here, please reshare this post or tag a friend who might benefit. After all, no family should have to navigate this journey alone.
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#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting
Mar 5
Building collaborative partnerships with your child’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers is essential for advocating for their needs and ensuring a supportive, inclusive environment.
Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is proud to partner with @noahsinclusionservices for the third session in our free Early Childhood Education Webinar Series on Building Collaborative Partnerships.
🗣 In this session, Debra Jefferis, a Family Worker with Noah’s Inclusion Services, will be joined by a parent from the Belongside Community. Together, they’ll share insights, experiences, and practical tips to help you build and maintain strong relationships with your child’s childcare, preschool, or daycare.
✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:
📌 Session 3: Building Collaborative Partnerships
🗓 Monday, 10 March 2025, 11:00 am
👉 REGISTER: https://events.humanitix.com/conversations1003
Find out more and explore the full series of free webinars: https://bit.ly/ECEC_Webinars.
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This series is brought to you by Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred), a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN). ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC, and ACT.
Mar 4
📢 Upcoming Events: While our name is changing, our purpose remains the same. We are still here, supporting, empowering, and walking beside you, just as we always have been – and always will.
With an expanded line-up, we’re excited to bring families even more opportunities to learn, connect, and gain the tools to advocate for their children.
Swipe ➡️ to find out more about the events starting over the next 2 weeks and beyond so you can put the dates in your calendar! 🎉
Best Practice Therapy in ECEC: Webinar Series
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Connect & Chat: Virtual MyTime
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Central Coast Catch-Ups (F2F)
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Understanding IEPS in Primary Schools: Webinar Series
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Working Together with Schools: Interactive Workshops
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Using Visuals: Autism MyTime
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Building Strong Partnerships with ECEC: Webinar Series
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Managing Daily Life: Virtual MyTime
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Building Collaborative School Partnerships: Webinar Series
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The Power of Micro Breaks for Mothers: Info Sessions
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ENVISAGE Workshops
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**Save the Date**
Working Together in Early Education: Interactive Workshops
✏️ Register today via Linkin.bio
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #ParentingDisability #MyTime #CheckInAndConnect #DisabilityAwareness #ConnectAndChat #DropInAndChat #AutismParentingTips #CareGiverSupport #DisabilityParenting #DisabilityEducation #InclusiveEducation
Mar 2
A message from our CEO, Stacey Touma: We’re Becoming Belongside Families
For years, Kindred has been more than just a name – it has represented the deep bonds between families, the strength of community, and the power of shared experiences.
For trademark reasons, we’ve made the decision to change our name. As we continue to grow and expand our supports for parents and carers of children with disability, we are embracing this as an opportunity to choose a name that strengthens our commitment to the families we support.
🧡 That’s why we’re stepping forward as Belongside Families.
Our new name brings together belong + alongside – embodying our belief that no family should have to navigate this journey alone. Belong reflects connection, community, and creating a safe space for families. Alongside represents our commitment, as an organisation created by families for families, to walking with you every step of the way.
While our name is changing, our purpose remains the same. We are still here, supporting, empowering, and walking beside you, just as we always have been – and always will.
What’s next? Over the coming days, you’ll start to see our new name and branding roll out across our website, social media and emails.
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and look forward to this next chapter together.
Stacey Touma
Belongside Families | CEO
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies
Feb 27
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) helps ensure your child has access to the same educational opportunities as their peers while receiving the tailored support they need to thrive.
Kindred is proud to partner Early Connections as part of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network to explore IEPs in Primary School. We`ll cover how to create a meaningful IEP and understand your important role in the process.
🗣 In this session, we`ll be joined by Kiandra Sciascia, an Early Intervention Teacher with Early Connections, and a parent from our community who will share tips and insights to ensure your child`s IEP reflects their unique needs and how to advocate for its effectiveness.
✏️ Register to attend live or receive the recording:
📌 School Session 2: Understanding IEPs in Primary School
🗓 Wednesday 5 March, 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
👉 REGISTER via Linkin.bio
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This series is brought to you by Kindred, a family-led not-for-profit supporting parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism across New South Wales, in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network. ECIBPN is a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, Vic and ACT.
Feb 26
