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 Jan 22 Start Up Program - Applications Still Open

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. The program is...

– Mayfield more info

Tue Jan 29 Start Up Program - Applications Still Open

– Mayfield more info

Tue Feb 5 Start Up Program - Applications Still Open

– Mayfield more info

Thu Mar 7 Challenge Community Services - Gunnedah Swimming Carnival

The Challenge Community Services Swimming Carnival is back in 2019! Since 2002, Challenge have been hosting the swimming carnival for people with disabilities to come together in a community env...

9:00am – 3:00pm Gunnedah more info

News & Stories

17 December 2018 Start Up incubator for people with intellectual disabilities begins in Mayfield Start Up incubator for people with intellectual disabilities begins in Mayfield

Meet Newcastle’s next cohort of entrepreneurs. Young, innovative and passionate about what they can offer the city’s residents, the students participating in a new 18-month startup program are challenging the idea that people with intellectual disabilities cannot create, and sustain, their...

14 December 2018 The Challenge Community Art Exhibition photos and winners The Challenge Community Art Exhibition photos and winners

ARTISTS in the Challenge art competition ran with the theme of Australian Country. More than 200 artworks were submitted by people with a disability and foster care children across the state. The public support means a lot to Challenge clients, chief executive Stephen Doley said. “This ...

12 December 2018 A home for life: more than one way to make a family A home for life: more than one way to make a family

After discovering that pregnancy was not going to be possible, Sarah and Adam tried to convince themselves they would be happy building a different life together – one without children. But the couple found it impossible to lay their maternal and paternal instincts to rest.After months of thinking...

23 November 2018 Finding inspiration for your NDIS Plan Finding inspiration for your NDIS Plan

Making the transition from school to adult life is always challenging, even more so if you need to consider how to allocate your NDIS funding.It’s always best to go into your NDIS planning session with the goals you would like to achieve firmly in mind. Better still, having a pre-planning meeting ...

20 November 2018 Bayden’s riding a wave of success Bayden’s riding a wave of success

As an avid surfer, Bayden knows that hard work and patience pays off.So he put his latest NDIS plan to good use to achieve two major life goals. First, he wanted to get his learner drivers permit and, second, he wanted to secure a better job. Together with his Connexions social worker, Abdenor, Bayd...

17 December 2018 Start Up incubator for people with intellectual disabilities begins in Mayfield Start Up incubator for people with intellectual disabilities begins in Mayfield

14 December 2018 The Challenge Community Art Exhibition photos and winners The Challenge Community Art Exhibition photos and winners

23 November 2018 Finding inspiration for your NDIS Plan Finding inspiration for your NDIS Plan

20 November 2018 Bayden’s riding a wave of success Bayden’s riding a wave of success

26 October 2018 Navigating life, and the NDIS, after school Navigating life, and the NDIS, after school

With the HSC exams in full swing, many Year 11 and 12 students are starting to consider their life beyond school. If you are a young person with a disability, it might be the first time you have considered how the NDIS can help you achieve your personal goals. Thankfully, there are plenty of places ...

12 December 2018 A home for life: more than one way to make a family A home for life: more than one way to make a family

13 November 2018 A safe haven: grandparents step into the breach A safe haven: grandparents step into the breach

Having brought up three children, Doug and Nancy weren’t expecting to have a second family. But when their son and daughter-in-law separated around seven years ago, they were ever ready to help their two grandchildren.‘We started getting more and more calls from Katie, who was four at the time...

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...

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...

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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