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

Thu Oct 25 Gunnedah Halloween Disco

Challenge Disability Services invites you to attend our spooky Halloween Disco wearing your best costume! Join us for a day of dress ups, dancing and Halloween fun!Cost of admission is $3 which inclu...

10:30am – 1:30pm Gunnedah more info

Fri Oct 26 Hunter Disability Expo - Oct 26th & 27th

Challenge Community Services is excited to be attending the Hunter Disability Expo. The Hunter Disability Expo provides a wide range of information about the latest products and services available ...

9:00am – 3:00pm Broadmeadow more info

Mon Oct 29 Jo Crowley Presents 'The Foster Carers Toolkit'

Join Challenge Foster Care as author Jo Crowley presents “The Foster Carers Toolkit.”For 10 years Jo Crowley has been writing books and resources for carers and kids in foster care. Her passion is...

10:00am – ARMIDALE more info

Tue Oct 30 Trangie Respite Centre Official Opening

You're invited to the Official Opening of the Challenge Community Services Respite Centre.Our new respite centre will be opened by Hon Mark Coulton, MP Assistant Minister Trade, Tourism & Investm...

3:30pm – 4:30pm Trangie more info

Wed Oct 31 Armidale Haunted House

Have you heard about the haunted house in Rusden Street, Armidale? This Halloween 98 Rusden Street will be open to all trick or treaters looking for goodies and a spooky time from 5pm to 8pm. ...

5:00pm – 8:00pm Armidale more info

Thu Nov 8 Challenge Disability Services Community Conference

Join Challenge Disability Services for our FREE Community Conference. This will be a great opportunity to hear from experienced guest speakers and learn more about the NDIS and service options for pe...

12:00pm – 4:00pm West Tamworth more info

Tue Nov 13 Start Up Program

Are you a young person with an intellectual disability looking to build work skills and increase your employment opportunities?Our exciting Start Up Program is taking applications now and will launch ...

– Mayfield more info

Thu Nov 22 Challenge Community Services Art Competition

The Challenge Community Services Art Competition is open to people with a disability and foster care children throughout New South Wales. The theme for this year's competition is "Australian Country"....

– Tamworth more info

News & Stories

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 ...

18 October 2018 Challenge Community Services celebrates 60 years after it began in Tamworth Challenge Community Services celebrates 60 years after it began in Tamworth

DETERMINED parents desperate to create education and employment opportunities for their children met 60 years ago to make it happen. Gathered at the Tamworth Town Hall, these parents would do anything to stop their children with disabilities going into institutionalised care. That group is t...

17 October 2018 Brisbane move the right fit for Glen Brisbane move the right fit for Glen

Moving to Brisbane has been a healthy change for one Challenge Community Services client, who is finding his feet, and friendship, through fitness.Two months ago, Glen moved from Newcastle NSW to his new home in Brisbane where he is living in supported accommodation run by Challenge Disability Servi...

9 October 2018 5 steps to becoming a foster carer 5 steps to becoming a foster carer

Becoming a foster carer is a big decision. But it’s likely to be one of the best things you ever do. Although it can be challenging at times, caring for a child or young person in need is hugely rewarding and can completely turn their life around.The first step to becoming a foster carer is to tal...

25 September 2018 Young entrepreneurs get opportunity of a lifetime Young entrepreneurs get opportunity of a lifetime

If you are under 35 with an intellectual disability and you have a great idea for a business, a new community program could be your perfect launch pad.Applications are now open for Challenge Community Services Start Up Program, designed to give young adults the tools they need to establish their own...

18 October 2018 Challenge Community Services celebrates 60 years after it began in Tamworth Challenge Community Services celebrates 60 years after it began in Tamworth

17 October 2018 Brisbane move the right fit for Glen Brisbane move the right fit for Glen

25 September 2018 Young entrepreneurs get opportunity of a lifetime Young entrepreneurs get opportunity of a lifetime

25 September 2018 Karen shares her three steps to success Karen shares her three steps to success

Karen Laws knows what it takes to juggle work, study, and a social life.She has successfully completed hospitality certificates at TAFE, runs her own cafe, secured work experience at the local pub, and still finds time to plan a trip to Newcastle to see Cher in concert.With support from Challenge Co...

13 September 2018 Three ways the web can help you live independently Three ways the web can help you live independently

Are you or your loved one thinking about taking the first steps towards independence? You may be wondering where you or your child will live, or who you will live with, even if you’re not planning on making changes any time soon.For young people with a disability, planning your life goals after sc...

9 October 2018 5 steps to becoming a foster carer 5 steps to becoming a foster carer

12 September 2018 Do you have what it takes to be a foster carer? Do you have what it takes to be a foster carer?

With images of global crises filling our TV screens, you may be surprised to learn that on our own doorstep in NSW there are 20,000 children at risk and in need of out-of-home care. These are children who have witnessed domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse or have experienced other traumatic ev...

6 September 2018 Giving young talent a start Giving young talent a start

Over 30 children have taken refuge over the past three decades in Shaun and Jane’s home. Some have been brought in the middle of the night escaping from a domestic emergency, others have stayed for a short time and some for almost 20 years.Starting life tough‘The home situations of the young one...

24 August 2018 Managing challenging behaviour: breaking the conflict cycle Managing challenging behaviour: breaking the conflict cycle

Children who are exposed to abuse and neglect, or who witness distressing scenes such as domestic violence, can find it difficult to trust or relate to others in a healthy way. They may find it difficult to manage their behaviour or to soothe and calm themselves. They may appear to always be on a sh...

8 August 2018 Foster love: a critical link Foster love: a critical link

At age 13, Ella was living with her mum who was struggling to overcome alcohol abuse issues. Her dad, now living in Queensland, had similar issues. Both parents wanted to keep Ella. But Ella needed somewhere to stay while her parents got on top of their alcohol abuse issues.New guiding principles fo...

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

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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