UPDATE: Challenge Community Services and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
During these difficult times, we would like to reassure you that Challenge Community Services will continue to provide essential services and support our Challenge community.The health and wellbeing o... Read more
Challenge Community Services response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
During these challenging times, the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, carers, children, young people and employees are our top priority. We are doing everything necessary to protect our cli... Read more
‘Under the Sea’ Challenge Community Services Art Competition Winners Announced
On Tuesday 17 December Tamworth artist, Michelle Hungerford joined Challenge Community Services CEO Barry Murphy at Ray Walsh House to announce the winners of our 12th Annual Challenge Community Servi... Read more
Art competition showcasing talents of people with disability and children in foster care
Voting is set to open for the 11th Annual Challenge Community Services Art Competition, with members of the community encouraged to visit the Ray Walsh House in Tamworth or the Challenge Facebook page... Read more
Waste No More: transforming junk into treasure
We’ve all heard the old saying, ‘One man’s junk is another man’s treasure’. Tamworth residents will soon be able to play a vital role in reducing our region's waste, as a new program that tu... Read more
Challenge Muswellbrook helping Matt and Jack to secure career paths
Two Denman men have overcome difficulties to gain both social and trade skills, which will help them lead largely independent lives. Matthew Richards and Jack Nebauer are working with Challenge Comm... Read more
Tamworth Changing Places: Push for facility in Tamworth
A project that would give some dignity back to the disabled and their carers needs your vote. Local community groups and advocates have been working towards a Changing Places facility in Tamworth... Read more
Challenge team at Trangie proud to help design jerseys
It was a big day down at Alan Burns Oval on July 15 as the Trangie Magpies hosted their Indigenous round, old boys, ladies and sponsors day. The jerseys worn during the match as the Magpies took on ... Read more
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, i... Read more
Sensory rooms are changing the landscape for people with disability
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 him... Read more
Entrepreneurs with intellectual disabilities pitch their startup
Annette Kearney, 29, is working hard to turn her passion into a business. "I've been doing it for a long time now," she said. "I just like to be able to show people that someone with a disability... Read more
Helping people learn life skills
Getting his "Ls" and securing a job were Bayden Parker's top NDIS goals and he has already smashed them. Greater independence and being able to get around without having to rely on others gave Bayden ... Read more
Challenge Disability Services in Trangie host fun day for Autism Awareness month
April marks Autism Awareness month, where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is embraced. On Wednesday, April 10 the team from Challenge Disability Services in Trangie held a community fun day ... Read more
Kenny finds his focus through art
A connection to country and deep love of Australian wildlife are recurring themes in Kenny Thurbon’s paintings. From Trangie in north-west NSW, Kenny works at his paintings for many hours each week ... Read more
Changing lives for the better
Working at Challenge Recycling, Narrabri has been a positively life-changing experience for Marie Hatch.The expression ‘life-changing’ is often overused but Ms Hatch’s job really has changed her... Read more
A sense of fulfilment money can’t buy
When Ella arrived at her foster home, she was stressed, pushed boundaries and frequently acted out. No wonder really - her parents were separated and struggling with alcohol issues. Ella’s carer, M... Read more
Challenge to help everyone feel included
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 and Challenge Community Services can help.Challenge provides a r... Read more
Fete to fund Disneyland trip for Challenge Foster Care children
A MINI fete will be held in Tamworth this week in a bid to give local foster children the chance to live their Disney dream.Connexions, an arm of Challenge Community Services, will host a mini fete on... Read more
Services anticipate long-term change following NDIS launch
Disability services providers in Orange are getting used to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which was rolled out on July 1.Among the changes is an anticipation that more workers will ... Read more
Challenge welcomes NDIS boost
After four years of pilot studies, trials, and the roll out process, the much-anticipated National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has finally been rolled out in Western NSW.As of July 1 the NDIS i... Read more
Finding independence with the NDIS
A scheme that will guarantee all Australians with a permanent disability individually-tailored care and support, regardless of where they live or how they acquired their disability. Read more
Emma and Nathan share foster caring experience
Just a year into being a foster carer, Emma, who lives on a farm near Narromine, said she couldn’t imagine her life any different. Western NSW needs ... Read more
New service provides connections for disabled
A new NDIS-inspired service is launching in Newcastle this month, which will allow young people living with disability to connect with each other and gain valuable skills. Meet Matt. He is just li... Read more
Swing to bring joy to Dubbo
Tracy Hanna is no stranger to ensuring people living with a disability are not left out and her push to secure a liberty swing for Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden is no different.Ms Hanna is embarking o... Read more
Hard work leads to new job for Nicole
Nicole’s hard work has landed her a new role at HealthShare Linen Services at Tamworth Hospital laundry.Nicole, who has ADHD, has been with Challenge Disability Services Connexions program for eight... Read more
Woolworths Tamworth supports Challenge foster children
A Tamworth business has given some of the city’s most vulnerable children a little hope this Easter season.Staff from Woolworths at Tamworth Shoppingworld presented staff from Challenge Foster Care ... Read more
Annual game ensures fun times for all
Fun was the name of a special game at Gipps St Fields on Sunday.The venue hosted the third annual Soccer Cup Challenge, a clash played between Tamworth FC and a select side from Challenge Community Se... Read more
Achieve your goals with Challenge
CHALLENGE COMMUNITY SERVICES are dedicated to helping people with a disability achieve their dreams and goals in everyday life settings. Challenge’s Disability Services programs are focused on outco... Read more
Adoption laws 'good for region'
Changes to the NSW adoption system have been applauded by a Tamworth foster care provider, who says more incentives will be provided to ensure children live in happy homes.On Thursday, the state gover... Read more
Sewing support for kids in need
Foster children who stay with John and Verity Wolfenden not only a receive a safe place to live: they also learn a new skill.For over three years, John and Verity have welcomed foster children into th... Read more
A new world of choice under NDIS
People living with disabilities in Dubbo will soon be in control of their own funding and empowered to achieve their life's goals, when the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) launches in the ... Read more
Challenge: Providing local expertise on the NDIS
With almost 60 years of history, Challenge Community Services has extensive experience tailoring support packages to allow children and adults with disabilities to flourish, extending both their forma... Read more
Fostering brings bundle of joy
Of all the benefits fostering provides children and their foster families, Challenge Community Services’ foster carer Cindy says it is the joy a child brings to her whole family that matters the mos... Read more
Independent living no challenge for Harley
Parents hope their children will grow into happy and independent individuals. With Challenge Community Services, even those who are growing up with a disability can gain skills they need for their ind... Read more
Challenge Community Services hosts art competition in Tamworth
AN EXHIBITION will be held in Tamworth this month to promote diversity and inspiration.The artworks of people with a disability from across the state will be displayed at Tamworth’s Ray Walsh House... Read more
9D mobile cinema coming to Tamworth to raise funds for Challenge
Grab some popcorn and hold tight, because there’s a film experience with a difference coming to town.You might have worn those funny glasses and seen a 3D film, but Challenge Community Services is i... Read more
Dry times for farm families
Dry weather is cracking more than just the soil in rural areas, and a drought community forum in Gunnedah on Wednesday aimed at bringing deeper issues to light.Challenge Community Services is hosting... Read more
Weathering the drought
Challenge Community Services will support one of the nation’s leading social workers on a tour of the region next month as he speaks about the importance of seeking help and support during the droug... Read more
