Challenge Community Services

We all have dreams. Whether it’s to land a good job, live independently or be part of a secure, loving family, we all want to belong.

That’s why Challenge Community Services has created one inclusive community. We’ll help raise you up to meet your goals. We’ll be there to support you when life gets tough.

Take a look around our site and see for yourself the multitude of activities and services we offer. You’ll find a Challenge community in 68 locations across New South Wales.

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What's on

Tue Jun 25 Bingara Mini Disability Expo

Please join us at the Bingara Mini Disability Expo to be held on Tuesday the 25th of June from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Bingara Central School. Come along and speak to our friendly staff about our pers...

11:00am – 1:00pm Bingara more info

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Thu Jul 25 Hunter Future Choices Expo for Students with Disability

Challenge Community Services is excited to be attending the Hunter Future Choices Expo for Students with Disability. This is a fantastic event providing everything students, families, carers, sc...

9:00am – 1:00pm Broadmeadow more info

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Wed Jul 31 Tenterfield Mini Disability Expo

Please join us at the Tenterfield Mini Disability Expo to be held on Wednesday the 31st of July at Tenterfield High School. Come along and speak to our friendly staff about our person-centred service...

– Tenterfield more info

Thu Aug 1 Glen Innes Mini Disability Expo

Please join us at the Glen Innes Mini Disability Expo to be held on Thursday the 1st of August from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Glen Innes High School. Come along and speak to our friendly staff about ...

10:30am – 12:30pm Glen Innes more info

Thu Aug 15 Inverell Mini Disability Expo

Please join us at the Inverell Mini Disability Expo to be held on Thursday the 15th of August at Macintyre High School. Come along and speak to our friendly staff about our person-centred services fo...

– Inverell more info

News & Stories

19 June 2019 The power of one dedicated foster carer The power of one dedicated foster carer

At age 15, Maya was shoplifting, drinking and smoking, and often missed school. The youngest of nine children, Maya had already had many short-term foster care placements when she was placed with single foster carer, Jeannette.“I felt that building a strong foundation of trust was critical as Maya...

18 June 2019 What NDIS funding for Supported Independent Living means for you What NDIS funding for Supported Independent Living means for you

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides eligible Australians aged under 65, who have a permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services. For many people, their NDIS funding is used for the purpose of improving, maintaining or gaining new skills in order fo...

18 June 2019 Challenge Community Services and council agree to terms for buyback centre and youth training facility Challenge Community Services and council agree to terms for buyback centre and youth training facility

A Tamworth based youth program to keep young males out of prison has been given the green light by council, and could be operating within two months.The program, which is yet to be officially named, is based on Armidale's highly successful Backtrack Youth Works, and has become a passion for Challeng...

6 June 2019 Focus on feelings: one way to help a child with challenging behaviours Focus on feelings: one way to help a child with challenging behaviours

When a young person you are caring for is showing challenging behaviours, it can be difficult to know how to respond.One useful strategy is to look behind the behaviour to the feelings. Especially around the teenage years, emotional ups and downs are commonplace and all young people have difficulty,...

6 June 2019 Living in Supported Accommodation: How Jamie gained his independence Living in Supported Accommodation: How Jamie gained his independence

Cooking a yummy butter chicken and having a chat with his support worker after work is all in a day’s routine for 19-year-old Jamie. On the autism spectrum, Jamie lives in Challenge Disability Services Supported Accommodation in Wyong and is going from strength to strength.“Over the four years I...

18 June 2019 What NDIS funding for Supported Independent Living means for you What NDIS funding for Supported Independent Living means for you

6 June 2019 Living in Supported Accommodation: How Jamie gained his independence Living in Supported Accommodation: How Jamie gained his independence

31 May 2019 Sensory rooms are changing the landscape for people with disabilities Sensory rooms are changing the landscape for people with disabilities

A place of quiet, comfort and unique sensory experiences has been created at the Challenge Disability Services Site on Greg Norman Drive in Tamworth, NSW.Warwick Bennet, a former mayor of Tamworth himself, donated the funds for the Sensory Wellness Room to assist with Challenge Community Services’...

14 May 2019 Start Up: Paving the path to self-employment Start Up: Paving the path to self-employment

Start Up works with young adults living with an intellectual disability as they explore the possibility of self-employment through developing their own microbusiness.Beth Innes, Grants Coordinator at Challenge Community Services, designed and secured government funding for the 18-month program, whic...

16 April 2019 Young people living with a disability empowered through Challenge programs Young people living with a disability empowered through Challenge programs

Becoming independent is an important step for every young person. The Challenge Community Services ‘Connexions’ program helps young people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 35 learn important life skills such as how to cook, how to apply for a job or how to budget. Additionally, Chall...

19 June 2019 The power of one dedicated foster carer The power of one dedicated foster carer

6 June 2019 Focus on feelings: one way to help a child with challenging behaviours Focus on feelings: one way to help a child with challenging behaviours

29 May 2019 Foster to adoption brings new beginnings Foster to adoption brings new beginnings

When Natalie* ended up in a wheelchair after contracting a staph infection in her spine following a routine laparoscopy, she and her partner Grant* had to face some hard truths. Although the laparoscopy revealed no medical reason why they couldn’t conceive, the couple were devastated that their dr...

7 May 2019 Max's journey to finding a stable family Max's journey to finding a stable family

When he found his mother lying on the floor not moving, 5-year-old Max’s destiny was changed in an instant.Max* phoned 000 and suddenly the house was filled with emergency workers – police, paramedics, social services. He watched his mother, who had overdosed, be taken away in an ambulance. Then...

1 May 2019 How Supervised Contact Workers support children and young people in foster care How Supervised Contact Workers support children and young people in foster care

When it comes to working with children and young people in out-of-home or foster care, as well as their families and significant others, creating a safe and supportive environment is paramount. For Supervised Contact Workers, their role is to develop meaningful contact with those young people while ...

19 October 2018 Earning their trust: how to help a child in care feel secure Earning their trust: how to help a child in care feel secure

When you’ve opened your home and your heart to a child or young person in need, it may be hard to understand why they might have trouble trusting you at first. They may shrink back or push you away when you try to comfort them. They may withdraw and not want to talk to you. They may be defiant or ...

22 June 2018 Daniel takes control with the NDIS Daniel takes control with the NDIS

When Daniel decided he needed to improve his mental health and behavioural issues, he enlisted the support of Challenge Therapeutic Services. Together, they have navigated financial hurdles and put in place strategies to improve Daniel's life.Tackling the financial hurdleDaniel first attended Challe...

18 May 2018 Planning to enjoy life Planning to enjoy life

A little planning and support can go a long way, especially if you have behaviours that keep you from achieving your goals.Challenge’s Therapeutic Services team help people living with a disability further develop their social skills and relationship skills, as well as help you to manage your emot...

23 March 2018 New service to provide psychological support for local NDIS clients New service to provide psychological support for local NDIS clients

If you or a loved one receives NDIS funding and has trouble with anxiety or behaviour management, a new service on the Central Coast could be the answer.Challenge Community Services recently opened a Therapeutic Services office in Tuggerah employing four psychologists. Two of the on-site psychologis...

6 February 2018 Building brighter futures together Building brighter futures together

Providing foster carers with a helping handFostering is hugely rewarding. Helping a child to grow and learn, seeing them smile, and playing a part in the development of their self-confidence are the greatest gifts of foster caring.In fact, as a foster carer, you will possibly form the closest relati...

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A world where everyone belongs and everyone grows

Curious about fostering for permanency?

Resources to Help Navigate Life After School

Challenge Community Services

What's on

News & Stories

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About Challenge Community Services