Local Resources and Activities

Local Resources

and Activities

Below are a range of local resources and services available to you and your family

Education and Activities

Australia's first dedicated hands-on children's museum that inspires their imagination and curiosity. They have many activities for children and resources for you including a Blog filled with expert insights and learnings from home activities as well as free professional learning for educators.

Illawarra Transition to School Program

Starting school is an exciting but somewhat overwhelming time in a child and families life which is why the Illawarra Transition to School program was developed. A child’s transition to school starts well before and extends long after the child’s first day

LifeStart

Provides support for children and young people living with disabilities. They place the them at the centre of all decision making and planning to support the achievements of their goals.

Paint the Town Read

Every time we read, talk, sing and rhyme with children brain connections grow, and build the foundations for learning. They help encourage people to read with children from birth, so they start school ready to learn.

Parent Guide Illawarra

An online resource that provides information on local services and events within the Illawarra area. They also have articles with tips and information on various topics including best family-friendly bushwalks and how to stay sane while stuck at home.

Park and Play Shellharbour

Communities for Children Shellharbour initiative that brings children and their families together in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Playgroup NSW

A strong connection between children and their parents and carers is integral to positive early childhood learning and development. This website shows the different playgrounds near you.

Police citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW

Offer a safe space for children and young people as well as educational and development programs like Road Safety.

The Frog

Online directory of Youth Services within the Wollongong area which assists young people and youth workers within information about a range of services.

Shellharbour City Council

They recognise the importance of supporting families and children by promoting local activities, events and services for children 0-12 years, their parents, carers and grandparents.. they have various resources and activities for support growth and development for children.

Get Active! Directory

Created by Illawarra Shoalhaven School-Link, this resource contains a list of 49 different sporting activities available within the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas allowing for many diverse interests and levels of ability. It also can encourage both parents/carers and children to participant in physical activities.

Wellbeing and Support

Coaching and Parent Emotion Support (CaPES)

Program designed to support parents to parent. It recognises parents as the most valuable support a child can have in developing their ability to manage their emotions, communicate well, reach their potential at school and have positive peer relationships. The program includes a combination of:

Parent-only sessions which are focused on teaching play therapy and emotion coaching skills
Parent-child play sessions that are designed to coach and support parents while they use play to understand and manage emotions.

For more information, contact Judy Pickard, University of Wollongong Psychology, at (02) 4221 3747 or jpickard@uow.edu.au.

Healthy Cities Illawarra

Focuses on the health and wellbeing of the community. They offer sustainable programs that help bring people together and encourage a healthy lifestyle including PlayPod and Active In-Betweens.

Illawarra Multicultural Services

Support the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population in the Illawarra. They provide assistance to migrants, humanitarian entrants and refugees. They have supported thousands of new arrivals in settling in the region.

The Illawarra Women's Health Centre

Provides free or low-cost and affordable medical, allied and complementary health care as well as health and well-being programs, groups and education to improve women’s health.

Noah's Inclusion Services

Offers flexible, high quality services to children and young people with special needs and caring support to their families. Is an environment where parents of children with special needs could meet and discuss mutual problems with other families and trained personnel.

ParentsNext Program

Run by CatholicCare Wollongong, this program provides support and advice including financial support for the parent and children with groceries, transport, medial expenses gap fees, education and training as well as employment. You can call Amy Braddick on (02) 4243 5806 for more information.

Staying Home Leaving Violence's Program

This program, developed by Family Services Australia, provides long term support for families and addresses the impact of domestic violence.

Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)

A not for profit Specialist Homelessness Service supporting vulnerable women and families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. They provide a pathway for those using the services to live healthy, connected and productive lives in secure, long term accommodation.

The Disability Trust

Committed to providing highly professional care and support to people with disabilities and their families.

Wollongong Women Information Services

Women’s Centre and the Illawarra Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service and supporting women in the Illawarra. They provide a safe and welcoming space to help can find assistance and support.