Move & Connect: How City of Newcastle Funding Helped Create a New Inclusive Opportunity for Local Families

Why the Program Was Needed

Many families tell us they want their children to participate more in community activities alongside their peers during holiday periods, but often feel unsure about how to adapt play and exercise in a way that keeps things fun, engaging, and appropriate to their child’s abilities.

As a community‑based organisation that has supported local families for more than 45 years, we see first hand how confidence, connection, and access to the right information can make a significant difference.

Move & Connect was created to fill this gap by giving families guided, hands‑on experience using Newcastle’s beautiful Blackbutt Reserve and Stockton Foreshore playground—combined with the added adventure of bus and ferry rides and lunch with friends. The program also provided natural opportunities for children, siblings, and parents to meet one another, share experiences, and enjoy being active together.

Julie’s Role in Bringing the Program to Life

Drawing on her extensive experience in paediatric physiotherapy and supporting children with disability and developmental delay to thrive, Julie:

• visited each council location to understand the environment, equipment, accessibility, and safety considerations
• designed activities that matched each child’s strengths, interests, and developmental goals while encouraging social interaction
• adapted experiences so every child could participate at their own pace
• modelled strategies for parents so they could continue the activities beyond the program
• created an inclusive, welcoming environment where children could interact naturally and build confidence together

Her approach reflected Firstchance’s commitment to being family‑centred and strengths‑focused. Parents were recognised as the experts in their child, and Julie’s role was to share knowledge, ideas, and encouragement to build their confidence.

What Happened During the Program

Across the sessions, children took part in new adventures—catching a bus to Blackbutt, riding the ferry to Stockton, exploring playgrounds, trying new physical challenges, and connecting with peers who understood their experiences.

Children supported one another, celebrated small successes, and in several cases, formed new friendships that continued beyond the program.

Parents shared feedback such as:

• “I made a friend.”
• “I tried something new.”
• “This is amazing.”
• “My child made a friend and they’ve had playdates since.”
• “We feel confident coming back on our own now.”

These simple but powerful comments reflect the heart of what Move & Connect aimed to achieve.

What We Showed

Move & Connect demonstrated that inclusive community activities don’t need to be complex or expensive to have a lasting impact. What matters is that they are thoughtfully designed, responsive to families’ needs, and grounded in each child’s strengths and interests.

We also saw that when families feel supported in real‑world environments, their confidence continues long after the program ends. Many families have already revisited these community locations—or similar ones—independently, showing that the program helped build long‑term capability, not just short‑term participation.

Our Thanks to the City of Newcastle

This program would not have been possible without the City of Newcastle’s support. Their funding allowed us to trial a new way of helping children with disability and their families access community spaces, build new skills, and strengthen social connections.

Move & Connect has provided valuable insights for future program planning, and we are grateful for the opportunity to explore new ways of supporting local families.