Community Engagement and Support Resources

If you are wanting to learn more about getting involved in your local community, this section includes:

• Government Support
• Community Groups in NSW
• Online Community Groups
• Hobby and Activity Based Groups
• Volunteering
• Chronic Pain Support Groups in NSW
• Online Chronic Pain Support Groups
• Mental Health Support Groups
• Free Worksheets

 

Government Support

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

• First Peoples Disability Network Australia
• Community Development Programme
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

 

Advocacy

• Disability Advocacy Network Australia
• National Disability Advocacy Program
• Regional Disability Advocacy Service (VIC, NSW)

 

Crisis Supports

• Lifeline : 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue : 1300 224 636
• Kids Help Line : 1800 551 800
• Suicide Call Back Service : 1300 659 467

 

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australians

• National Ethnic Disability Alliance
• Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association
• Translating and Interpreting Service

 

Education

• Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
• Department of Education – including Disability Standards for Education and Higher Education Disability Support Program
• Positive Partnerships

 

Employment

• Disability Employment Services
• JobAccess – including Employment Assistance Fund

 

Health Interface

• Australian Hearing
• Primary Health Networks

 

Housing

• Disability Housing
• Carer Gateway
• Home Modification Australia

 

Information for Parents and Carers

• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres

 

Justice

• Australian Human Rights Commission

 

Legal Aid

• Australian Human Rights Commission
• Legal Aid

 

Mental Health

• Beyond Blue
• Mental Health Australia
• Head to Health

 

Mental Health Support for Young People

• Headspace
• Children of parents with a Mental Illness
• Kids Matter
• Sane Australia
• Orygen Youth Health (Victoria only) .
• Kids Help Line : 1800 551 800

 

Support for older People with Disability

• My Aged Care  – including Continuity of Support Programme, Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Packages.

 

Transport

• Carer Gateway
• Mobility Allowance
• Australian Disability Parking Scheme

 

Community Groups in NSW

• HeadtoHealth:  Connecting with community (link)
• Factsheet:  NPC: Community Groups (link)
• City of Sydney: Community Groups (link)
• Orange:  Community Groups (link)
• Roberson:  Community Groups (link)
• South Eastern NSW:  Community Groups (link)
• Berry:  Community Groups (link)
• LGBTQI Community Groups (link)
• Kangaroo Valley:  Community Groups (link)
• Hawskebury Australia:  Community Groups (link)

 

Online Community Groups

• Facebook:  Glenwood:  Community Groups (link)
• Facebook:  Eastern Suburbs of Sydney Community Group (link)

 

Hobby and Activity Based Groups

• HeadtoHealth:  Purposeful activity (link)
• HeadtoHealth:  Purposeful activity – getting involved (link)
• HeadtoHealth: Purposeful activity – hobbies (link)
• 60+ Club:  Social Groups (link)
• Heart Foundation:  Walking Groups.  Find a group near you
• MeetUp:  Social Groups in Sydney (link)
• Networks, Groups and Communities in Sydney (link)
• Trailblazers Community Groups Sydney (link)
• PCYC:  Find a Group (link)
• My Community Directory:  Interest Groups (link)
• Men’s Shed:  Find a Shed (link)
• City of Sydney:  Find a community garden (link)
• Stitch Community.  Social group for over 50’s (link)
• Country Women’s Association (link)
• HeadtoHealth:  Purposeful activity – learning and education (link)
• University of the 3rd Age (link)
• Sydney Community College (link)

 

Volunteering

• GoVolunteer (link)
• The centre of volunteering (link)
• HeadtoHealth:  Purposeful activity – volunteering (link)

 

Chronic Pain Support Groups in NSW

• Factsheet:  NPC:  Government Support Directory (link)
• Australian Government:  Chronic pain Resources.  A summary of online and accessible initiatives and resources (link)
• MeetUp:  Chronic Pain Groups in Sydney (link)
• Factsheet:  Chronic Pain Australia:  Support Group Directory (link)
• Arthritis Australia:  Find a group (link)
• Factsheet:  APMA:  Pain Management Support Groups Directory (link)
• Connect:  Chronic Pain Support Groups Directory (link)
• GAIN: Pelvic Pain Support Group (link)
• Endometriosis Australia Support Group (link)
• Pelvic Pain Foundation.  Find a group (link)
• Pain Link Telephone Line (link)
• Australian RSD/CRPS Support Group (link)
• ConnectGroups:  Chronic Illness Directory (link)
• Arthritis and Osteoporosis Support Group (link)
• Musculoskeletal Support Groups (link)
• Humankind Chronic Illness Support Group (link)
• CRPS Network Australia (link)
• Purple Bucket Support Group (CRPS) (link)
• Rare Voices (Chronic Illness Support Groups) (link)

 

Online Chronic Pain Support Groups

• Online:  Chronic Pain Australia:  Online Forum (link)
• Online:  Hills Chronic Pain:  Online Forum (link)
• Online:  Dragon Claw (Rheumatoid Arthritis) (link)
• Facebook:  Diamond Facts (link)
• Facebook:  Fibromyalgia Support Group (link)
• Facebook:  Chronic Pain Support Group (link)
• Facebook:  Chronic Pain Sufferers Support Group (link)
• Facebook:  Chronic Pain – we are in this together (link)

 

Mental Health Support Groups

• Online:  GROW Mental Wellness Program:  Find a group (link)
• Blue Knot:  Trauma Support Groups (link)
• Online: BeyondBlue:  Online Forum (link)
• Carers Gateway:  Support for carers (link)
• Men’s Shed:  Find a Shed (link)
• NSW Government:  Mental Health Programs.  Find a program (link)

 

Free Worksheets

• Worksheets:  TA: Social Support (link)