SNUG: Special Needs Unlimited Group

Children with disabilities, their parents and siblings, face many challenges. For those in rural communities—far away from the resources and infrastructure of cities—these challenges can be overwhelming. Visits to distant cities to access specialist services must be planned with military precision; appointments coordinated; accommodation booked; and the needs of all family members considered. Opportunities to network with families in their situation and to holiday in a place that can offer respite care are rare.

SNUG is an outreach program that offers hope for rural families facing these challenges. We host week-long residential programs and coordinate all of the appointments. The family is accommodated at Lake Macquarie’s Myuna Bay Recreational facility, giving them the opportunity to relax and foster friendships with other families in similar situations—all of which enhances resilience and family wellbeing.

Modelled on the Swedish Agrenska program, SNUG is coordinated through the Family Action Centre of the University of Newcastle. The program will be evaluated and reported on. Ethics approval through the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics committee has been established (No. 6/12/13/4.03). For details of the evaluation, go to FAQs.