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Belonging Stories

Voices of Belonging

Real stories from real people who’ve found where they truly belong. These are the experiences that remind us why we care and inspire us every day.

What Our Participants Are Saying

Hear from peoples lived experiences, whose paths have brought them to The Place for Belonging, and the impact that we’ve brought to their lives.

“We Finally Feel Like We’re Not Alone Anymore” – Ian & Jacqui’s Story

For Ian and Jacqui, life with two children who live with complex and multiple mental health challenges has been a long and difficult road…

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Ian

Katey’s Life Has Completely Transformed – Anna & Katey’s Story

Two years ago, Anna’s daughter Katey was living in near-constant distress. The majority of her day was consumed by auditory and visual hallucinations.

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Anna

Watching Bryce Thrive Has Been Nothing Short of a Miracle – Leanna & Bryce’s Story

When Leanna first connected with The Place For Belonging four years ago, her son Bryce, who lives with a severe intellectual disability and Level 3 Autism, was struggling with even the simplest parts of daily life.

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Leanna

Ian

“We Finally Feel Like We’re Not Alone Anymore” — Ian & Jacqui’s Story

For Ian and Jacqui, life with two children who live with complex and multiple mental health challenges has been a long and difficult road. Over the past three years, The Place For Belonging has walked beside their family through countless crises. times when they felt exhausted, uncertain, and overwhelmed.

“Before finding The Place For Belonging, we were at breaking point. We’d been through carer burnout more times than we could count,” they share. “But having a team who truly understands, who listens and advocates for us and our children, has changed everything.”

What’s stood out to Ian and Jacqui most is the collaborative approach the team takes. “They don’t just work in isolation. They work alongside our children’s psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists to make sure everyone is on the same page,” Ian explains. “That communication and teamwork has been crucial in helping our kids make real progress.”

Through consistency, compassion, and genuine care, The Place For Belonging has become more than a support service. It’s become an extension of their family. “They don’t just support our children,” says Jacqui. “They support us as a family unit. They celebrate the small wins with us, help us navigate the hard days, and give us hope for a brighter future. We know we’re not walking this journey alone anymore.”

Anna

Katey’s Life Has Completely Transformed — Anna & Katey’s Story

Two years ago, Anna’s daughter Katey was living in near-constant distress. The majority of her day was consumed by auditory and visual hallucinations. Escalations were frequent, and community life felt impossible. But everything began to shift when The Place For Belonging came into their lives.

“From day one, they saw Katey as a person, not a diagnosis,” Anna reflects. “They believed she could live a meaningful life, and they never stopped advocating for her. They truly care about Katey’s safety and well-being.”
What stood out most to Anna was the way The Place For Belonging worked seamlessly with Katey’s medical and therapeutic team. “They were in constant communication with her psychiatrist, psychologist, and behaviour support practitioners,” Anna says. “For the first time, everyone was on the same page and working together toward one goal: helping Katey live her best life.”

Through patience, compassion, and teamwork, Katey’s world began to open up. “Now, she’s out in the community, visiting places she once couldn’t, having real conversations, laughing, and beginning to understand what relationships mean,” Anna shares proudly.

“The Place For Belonging has helped Katey rediscover who she is,” Anna says. “They’ve given her back her life and given me back my hope as a mum. Because of them, I finally have a meaningful mother-daughter relationship again.”

Leanna

“Watching Bryce Thrive Has Been Nothing Short of a Miracle” – Leanna & Bryce’s Story

When Leanna first connected with The Place For Belonging four years ago, her son Bryce, who lives with a severe intellectual disability and Level 3 Autism, was struggling with even the simplest parts of daily life. Leaving the house often ended in distress, and their world felt very small.

Today, Bryce is a confident young man who greets each day with excitement. He’s out in the community exploring, meeting people, and discovering joy in ways his family once only dreamed of. He’s even had the incredible honour of running onto the field with the Queensland State of Origin team, and was proudly elected school captain for next year. “The change in Bryce has been incredible,” Leanna says. “He’s gone from being afraid of the world to embracing it. Now, he’s out every day, going on adventures, meeting people, and living life to the fullest. The team at Place For Belonging absolutely shape lives”

Leanna believes an enormous part of Bryce’s transformation has come from the team’s unwavering belief in him, their encouragement, and their guidance every step of the way. “They never stopped seeing Bryce’s potential, even when things were tough, and that faith gave him the confidence to try, to trust, and to grow,” she shares. The team also works hand-in-hand with Bryce’s medical and allied health supports, ensuring everyone is aligned and moving toward the same goals. “That collaboration has made such a difference in how Bryce learns, communicates, and feels safe,” Leanna says.

The change hasn’t just been in Bryce. It’s transformed their whole family! “The relationship between us has completely changed,” Leanna reflects. “There’s more calm, more laughter, and a sense of connection we didn’t have before.”

“They’ve helped Bryce grow in ways I never thought possible,” she says. “It’s been truly life-changing.”

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