Families of children with a disability/additional needs often say that their most effective source of information is other families in the same situation.
What is Parent to Parent Support?
Families of children with a disability or additional need often say that their most effective source of information is other families in the same situation.
Parent Support Groups offer you the chance to meet other families in your local area to exchange information and share experiences.
Support groups are only one of the many ways families can access the support and information they need. The Gateways Parent Support Workers are always developing new and innovative support options for families, such as phone link ups for isolated families. Your suggestions about how we can best support families are also welcome.
The following is a list of support groups, both informal and formal, operating in the Geelong Barwon South Western region.
ADHD P2P Support Group
The ADHD P2P Support Group is for parents / carers of children with ADHD in the Geelong region and meets at the Gateways Support Services offices at 7.30pm, once a term.
For details on dates, topics of interest and speakers contact Gateways via Contact Us or on 52212984.
Asperger Syndrome Information Group
The Asperger Syndrome Information Group is held at the Gateways Support Services offices from 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month, excluding school holidays. Access to the building is available through rear entrance, near the car park.
The group discusses topics of interest and sometimes invites speakers to address the group
For details on dates, topics of interest and speakers contact Gateways via Contact Us or on 52212984.
Barwon Valley Parent Support Group
The Barwon Valley Parent Support Group is currently undergoing review. For details enquiries contact the Principal at Barwon Valley School on 5243 1813.
Bellarine Parents Network
The Bellarine Parents Network is a group for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who live on the Bellarine Peninsula and aims to share resources, ideas, stories, have fun and help parents meet others in the same situation.
The group meets at the Clifton Springs Primary School, Jetty Road, Clifton Springs, from 9.15am on the last Wednesday of each month (excluding school holidays). Morning tea is provided.
For more information contact Dyanne Jackson on 5248 7153 (leave message) or email via jackson.dyanne.b@edumail.vic.gov.au
Colac Parent Support Groups
Two support groups meet at the Gateways Support Services (Colac Office) for mutual support, friendship, networking with other parents, and for current information.
Currently operating are an Autism Specific Group and a General Disability Group. For more information about these groups contact Gateways Colac Parent Support Worker on 5232 2001.
Epilepsy Support Group
The Epilepsy Support Group supports parents and carers of children who are living with epilepsy.
The group meets at the Epilepsy Foundation Office, Barwon Design Park, 400 Pakington St, Newtown. For more details contact Client Services Counsellor Linley Kloppe on 5223 1769 or 0438 931 118.
Family Connections Playgroup
The Family Connections Playgroup supports parents who have a child with a disability aged between birth and six years, who are eligible for, or are, receiving Early Intervention Services.
During the playgroup the children play with others, or are cared for by specialised staff in a supervised setting.
Parents can relax and enjoy chatting in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment, share and learn through the issues raised, gain information and be introduced to other service providers to talk about specific topics.
The playgroup meets on Tuesdays from 10am to 11am at Noah’s Ark Geelong, 37 Fenwick St, Geelong. Cost: Free.
For more details contact Silvana Bongiovanni on 5229 5327 during business hours.
Geelong Down Syndrome Social Group (GDSSG)
The GDSSG is a friendly group for parents, who have children of any age with Down Syndrome.
The group meets bimonthly, mostly in evenings, for a variety of low-key outings. For more information contact Libby Mitchell on 5266 2009.
Geelong Parent Network
The Geelong Parent Network is an informal group made up of people living in the Geelong region, who care for family members with intellectual disabilities.
The group provides support to families using agencies such as Karingal and St Laurence and members have the opportunity to put forward their ideas.
Meetings are held at venues related to different services. This network is predominately, but not exclusively for, families with adult children. For more details contact Dot Leigh on 5244 4622.
Lara ASD P2P - Lara Autism Spectrum Disorder Parent to Parent Group
The Lara ASP P2P is a small group that meets on the second Wednesday of the month between 1.30pm and 3pm at a Lara café. For more information contact Veronica on 0439 900 071.
Lara Coffee Group
The Lara Coffee Group comprises parents of children with various disabilities, who meet informally once a month for coffee and a chat at the Xpresso Café, Lara. For more details contact Aileen Wiesebrock on 5282 3414.
MyTime Groups - Corio & Grovedale
MyTime groups provide local support for anyone caring for a child under school age with a disability or chronic medical condition.
The program has a Gateways facilitator aims to make time for carers while children play nearby, in a supported environment.
Corio MyTime is held on Fridays from 10am to 11.30am at 28 Hendy Street Corio. Grovedale MyTime is held on Thursday 1.30pm to 3pm at 58 Greenville Drive, Grovedale.
For more information about either of these groups contact Gateways Support Services on 5221 2984 or via Contact Us.
Nelson Park Parent Support Group
The Nelson Park Parent Support Group meets for information and mutual support at the school on a regular basis. For more details contact Student Wellbeing Officer Rebecca Baran on 5278 3620.
PASKEY
PASKEY is a support group for families with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially those in the early stages of diagnosis.
The group aims to provide friendly support and a listening ear, along with tips and techniques learnt along the way. It meets at the coordinator's home on the first Monday of each month, from 11am to 3pm. If the first Monday falls during the school holidays or on a public holiday, usually a ‘Mum's Night Out’ takes place, instead of a normal meeting. Children are welcome.
For more details phone Krista on 5241 4649 or 0427 414 649.
Partners of People with Aspergers
Partners of People with Aspergers meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 1.30pm at Gateways Support Services. Partners and carers are welcome to share and be heard.
For more details contact Leonie at Bethany Community Support on 5278 8122.