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A smiling child with glasses gestures excitedly on an outdoor basketball court, while a woman in a red shirt holds a basketball. Other kids and adults play in the background under a sunny sky.

Looking to connect with other families in your local community who get it? You’re not alone.

Parenting can feel lonely when the people around you don’t fully understand your child’s needs. It’s not always easy to find families nearby who understand the joys and challenges of a raising a child with disability, delay, autism or medical needs. 

That’s why we host in-person catch ups—spaces where parents and carers can meet face-to-face, share real experiences, and discover local support. Whether it’s over coffee, a family gathering, or an information session, you’ll be welcomed into a community of people who understand. 

Upcoming In-Person Events
Three women sit together indoors, smiling and chatting. One woman in an orange shirt faces the camera, while the other two, wearing dark shirts, are turned slightly away, engaged in conversation. Bright windows and greenery are visible behind them.

What to expect

  • A mix of events: casual coffee catch-ups, guest speaker sessions and inclusive family gatherings 
  • Hosted by a trained parent facilitator from the local community 
  • Opportunities to hear what’s helped others and learn about local services and supports 
  • Free to attend and open to all parents and carers 
  • Currently we host groups in Western Sydney, the Hills District and Central Coast. 

Snapshots from our events

Four smiling women, three wearing red Belongside Families shirts, stand together at an event booth in front of a banner that reads, Finding support should be easy. Were here to help.
Two women stand behind a display table with brochures, QR codes, and colorful items. A basket with stuffed toys sits on the table. Behind them are banners for Belongside Families with information and a smiling childs photo.
A group of people sit around a conference table with papers and laptops, listening to a person in an orange blazer speaking. A presentation slide on a laptop reads, “What has been hard?”.
Three women sit closely together in front of a colorful ball pit, smiling at the camera. The woman in the center wears glasses and an orange shirt that reads Belonging is for Families.
A smiling child with glasses sits in a colorful ball pit filled with orange, pink, white, and blue balls. She is wearing a turquoise shirt and light blue pants.
Five people, including four children and an adult, sit around a table covered with a coloring sheet. They are smiling and holding markers, engaged in coloring together. The table is decorated with colorful drawings.
A smiling child with glasses gestures excitedly on an outdoor basketball court, while a woman in a red shirt holds a basketball. Other kids and adults play in the background under a sunny sky.
Children playing basketball on an outdoor court; one boy is jumping to shoot a green ball while others, including a child in a wheelchair, watch and wait their turn. It’s a sunny day.
Children play and laugh together in a colorful ball pit, surrounded by adults. The scene is lively and joyful, with a clothing store visible in the background through glass windows.
A lively indoor party room with groups of people sitting at tables, eating, and chatting. Some people stand near a door labeled Party Room while children play in the background. The atmosphere is bright and social.
Three people, two adults and one child, smile while posing together indoors. The adults have dark hair and wear black tops, and the child has curly hair and wears a colorful shirt. A TV and blue wall are in the background.
Children sit on the floor around sensory play trays filled with colorful rice, scooping and pouring it through plastic funnels and wheels. They are focused on playing and interacting together in a bright indoor setting.
Two women stand indoors. One is holding a phone with a purple case and showing the screen to the other, who is holding a plate of food and a jacket. Both appear focused on the phone. People and shelves are in the background.
A woman in an orange jacket speaks at a table with brochures about support for parents and carers of children with disability. A large poster behind her shows a smiling family, including two children.
A group of adults and children participate in indoor activities on a large gray mat, with colorful items scattered around. Some kids sit and play while adults stand nearby watching or talking.
Three women wearing red aprons sit side by side, laughing together. They have their hair tied back and appear to be enjoying a group activity, possibly cooking or baking, with a water bottle and bowl in front of them.
Three women wearing aprons sit together at a table, smiling and chatting in a brightly lit room with purple chairs stacked in the background.
A group of women wearing pink aprons sit around a table, smiling and working on crafts or art projects together in a bright, colorful room.
A group of people sitting at a table.
Seven women sit around a table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera. The table is filled with large pizzas, plates of pasta, salads, bread, and drinks. A colorful mural is visible on the wall behind them.

What parents are saying

A woman wearing glasses and a red sweater smiles while hugging two young boys, one on each side, in a colorful indoor setting. The boys also smile at the camera.

It felt reassuring that I am not alone and that other families in my local community are walking the same journey as me.

Parent
A woman with glasses and a young girl wearing a floral hat and dress smile outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and a bright blue sky in the background.

Getting the opportunity to connect with other families without judgment was incredible.

Parent
A woman holding a young child outdoors, both wearing striped shirts. The child looks down with a calm expression while the woman gazes at the child. Green foliage is visible in the background.

The in-person event was really helpful to connect with other parents and hear both similar and different experiences, challenges and solutions. Great it was at my local shopping centre, which my son already knows.

Parent
A woman in a yellow sweater communicates with a smiling boy in a wheelchair, using sign language outdoors on a sunny day, with buildings and trees in the background.

Sharing about my experiences and hearing that other families are in the same boat. I learned strategies to help my son.

Parent
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