Belonging Matters Inc.

09/06/2026

💛 Genuine friendship isn't about being supported. It's about being known, valued and cared for by others.

💛 We all want friends.

🌟People who welcome us.
🌟People who enjoy our company.
🌟People who notice when we're missing and are happy when we're there.

For many people with disability, these kinds of genuine, mutual friendships can be difficult to find. Yet friendship is one of the most important parts of a good life.

Join internationally recognised speaker Dr Angela Amado for a practical and inspiring workshop exploring how we can help create opportunities for real friendships to grow and flourish in everyday community life.

Through stories, strategies and real-life examples, you'll learn ways to foster connection, belonging and relationships built on mutual respect, shared interests and genuine care.

📍 Box Hill Town Hall
📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 9.30am – 4.30pm

✨ Because everyone deserves friends, connection and a place to belong.

👉https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-in-everyday-community-life

Image description: 'Building friendships and connections in everyday community life', 'Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from Dr Angela Amado from Minnesota', 'Tuesday 30 June, 9.30am - 4.30pm, Box Hill Town Hall, Whitehorse Road'. Image on left of two women - woman on left has shortish blonde hair and glasses; woman on right has long brown hair. Dr Angela Amado's profile image is in right-hand corner.

09/06/2026

View Kez's full video at:
https://www.talksthatmatter.net/employmentstories?wix-vod-video-id=Yvw3vKaE1q8&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-mf521e2t2




disability

08/06/2026

Scammers are becoming more convincing every day—especially online and through social media. They often use trust, emotion and urgency to trick people into sharing information or sending money.

Join Down Syndrome Australia's Digital Champions for a practical and engaging online workshop where you'll learn:

💡 how scams work
💡 common warning signs to look out for
💡 how to stay safer online
💡 what to do if something doesn't feel right

Through real-life examples and practical tips, you'll build confidence navigating the online world and learn how to better protect yourself from scams.

✨ Knowledge is one of the best ways to stay safe.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/protecting-yourself-from-scams-digital-champions

Image description: 'Protecting yourself from scams', 'Supporting people with intellectual disability to feel safe and confident online', 'Could you spot a scam?' 'Learn how to stay safe online!', 'Join Down Syndrome Australia's Digital Champions for a practical webinar on how scams work and how to recognise the warning signs.' '18 June 2026', '7-8pm (AEST). Image on right: male and female looking at laptop with magnifying glass over image saying, 'SCAM'.

03/06/2026

💛 Everyone deserves a place where they belong.

A place where they are known.
A place where they are welcomed.
A place where friendships can grow.

Being included is important. But how do we create genuine friendships and lasting community connections?

Join Dr Angela Amado for a practical and inspiring workshop exploring how we can help create communities where people with disability are not just included—but genuinely connected.

📍 Box Hill Town Hall
📅 Tuesday 30 June

✨ Learn practical ways to foster friendship, belonging and meaningful community connection.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-in-everyday-community-life

Belonging Matters Inc is a not-for-profit organisation that provides information, resources and training together with mentoring and advice about social inclusion and belonging.

02/06/2026

💛 We all want the same things—to have friends, feel welcomed, and know that we belong.

Join internationally recognised speaker Dr Angela Amado for a practical and inspiring workshop exploring how people with disability can build meaningful friendships and become genuinely connected in community life.

Through stories, strategies and activities, you'll learn practical ways to foster inclusion, connection and lasting friendships.

📍 Box Hill Town Hall, Melbourne
📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 9.30am – 4.00pm AEST

✨ Because everyone deserves the opportunity to make friends and belong.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-in-everyday-community-life

Image description: 'Building friendships and connections in everyday community life', 'The saddest thing a person can say about someone is: 'He doesn't have any friends'.' Dr Angela Amado. 'A rare opportunity to learn from Dr Angela Amado. Date, time and venue listed. Circled image of Dr Angela Amado.

29/05/2026

💛Everyone deserves someone who notices when they're missing, is excited to be in their presence, and values them for who they are.

Yet for many people with disability, meaningful friendships can be difficult to find and sustain.

Join internationally recognised speaker Dr Angela Amado for an inspiring and practical workshop exploring how we can move beyond simple "inclusion" and foster genuine friendships, connection and community life.

Through stories, strategies and activities, you'll learn practical ways to help build communities where people are not just present—but truly belong.

📍 Box Hill Town Hall
📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 9.30am – 4.00pm AEST

✨ Learn from one of the world's leading voices in friendship, belonging and inclusive communities.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-in-everyday-community-life

Image description: 'Building friendships and connections in everyday community life', "The saddest thing a person can say about someone is: 'He doesn't have any friends'," Dr Angela Amado. 'A rare opportunity to learn from Dr Angela Amado from Minnesota. 'Tuesday 30 June, 9.30am - 4pm, Box Hill Town Hall, Whitehorse Room'. Circled image of Dr Angela Amado.

29/05/2026

💛 Sometimes all it takes is a conversation to spark a new connection, a new idea, or a new possibility. After all, everyone deserves people to share ideas with, turn to for support, and dream about the future.

Join people with disability, their families and allies for a relaxed cuppa and conversation at our Making Moves Pop-Up sessions.

Together, we'll explore topics such as community inclusion, moving out, friendships, valued roles, support networks and planning for the future.

Hosted by Joanne Walters, who brings more than 25 years of experience supporting people with disability and their families to build lives of belonging and connection.

☕ Come along, meet others, share ideas and explore what's possible.

📍 Wonthaggi – 4 June
📍 Cowes – 9 June
📍 Leongatha – 20 June

👉 https://events.humanitix.com/making-moves-pop-up-sessions

Image description: 'Do you live in the Bass Coast or South Gippsland?' 'Are you looking for connection, fresh ideas, or simply a place to start?' 'If you answered yes, please come along and join people with disability, their families and allies for a relaxed cuppa, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity to explore what matters most to you:' 'Friendship, Inclusion, Moving out, Housing, Community connection, Planning for the future'. Wonthaggi 4 June 2026, Cowes 9 June 2026, Leongatha 20 June 2026. Image of Bass Coast and hands holding coffee mug.

29/05/2026

⚠️ Could you spot a scam?

Online scams are becoming more convincing—especially romance scams that use trust and emotion to trick people.

Join us for a practical and engaging online workshop with 's Digital Champions and to learn how scams work, the warning signs to look out for, and ways to stay safer online.

💻 Real-life examples
💡 Practical tips
💛 Build confidence online

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/protecting-yourself-from-scams-digital-champions

Image description: 'Protecting yourself from scams', 'Supporting people with intellectual disability to feel safe and confident online', 'Could you spot a scam?' 'Join Down Syndrome Australia's Digital Champions for a practical webinar on how scams work and how to recognise the warning signs.' '18 June 2026', '7-8pm (AEST). Image on right of young male and female looking at a laptop screen.

28/05/2026

☕ Join us for a relaxed cuppa and conversation at our Making Moves Pop-Up catchups.

Hosted by Joanne Walters, who brings over 25 years of experience supporting people with disability and their families, these sessions are a welcoming space to connect, share ideas and explore topics such as belonging, moving out, friendships, community connection and planning for the future.

📍 Wonthaggi – 4 June
📍 Cowes – 9 June
📍 Leongatha – 20 June

💛 Come along for a cuppa and chat

👉 https://events.humanitix.com/making-moves-pop-up-sessions

Image description: 'Do you live in the Bass Coast or South Gippsland and are looking for connection, fresh ideas, or simply a place to start?' ' Join others with disability, their families and allies for a relaxed cuppa and conversation about the things that matter to you: Friendship, Inclusion, Moving out, Housing, Community connection, Planning for the future'. Image on right of Bass Coast and hands holding a cup of coffee.

27/05/2026

🏠 Last registrations are now open for tomorrow night’s first Homeshare session!

Discover a more natural way of living—where a person with disability lives in their own home alongside a supportive housemate without disability.

Hear from speakers with lived experience, family insight and professional expertise as they share practical ideas, stories and strategies for creating successful Homeshare arrangements.

📅 Tomorrow night - 28 May & 11 June
⏰ 6:45pm–8:30pm (online)

✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to explore what’s possible.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/homeshare

Image description: 'Homeshare', 'Discover a more natural way to live with Homeshare', '28 May & 11 June, 2026', '2-Part Workshop Featuring 4 Guest Speakers'. '1 Day Left! Final Registrations' Four circled images of Wendy Francis, Tony Cavedon, Emily Raymond and Jo Middleton.