COmmunities & Kids Services
Supporting Lithgow's families and their children
Communities and Kids is proudly funded by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). We support families with children aged from birth to 6 years, offering a range of early childhood and family programs designed to strengthen development, connection, and wellbeing.
- Supported Playgroup sessions
- Circle of Security Parenting
- Circle of Security Classroom
- Good Start - Language Boost Group – in partnership with NSW Health Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy
- Early childhood development and family information and referral
- Paint The Town REaD – early literacy and community engagement initiative
- Community events such as fun days and information stalls
- Community workshops
Our Team
Our qualified and highly motivated staff are available to provide advice and support in areas such as:
- Child development
- Family functioning and safety
- Neurodivergence support and navigation
- Connections with local services
- Relationship-focused parenting styles
For more information or advice on early childhood or family matters,
please contact us directly: 0447 322 582
Playgroups
Our FREE playgroups are fun, inclusive, and engaging for children, while giving parents and carers the chance to meet others, share experiences, and access information, advice, and referrals.
Playgroups run weekly during school terms in Lithgow and Portland.
Each playgroup is carefully planned to meet the needs of families and children, with a range of age-appropriate activities that support:
- Gross and fine motor development
- Language and communication
- Cognitive, social and emotional skills
- We encourage parents to actively participate with their children during activities and group times.
Circle of Security Parenting
Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) is a relationship-focused program run four times per year in a supportive group setting.
The program is based on the attachment styles that all people form with their loved ones and those around them. COSP aims to strengthen the bond between children and their carers by helping parents recognise and respond to their child’s emotional needs, rather than focusing on discipline or managing unwanted behaviours.
This course is delivered FREE of charge and face-to-face. Many out-of-town providers deliver the same program typically at a cost of up to $500 for parents and carers.
As a locally based service, we are well connected with support services in our local area, allowing us to make quick and relevant referrals to additional supports where needed. Groups typically run over 4–8 weekly sessions, and participants receive a certificate of completion once they have completed the full course.
Circle of Security Classroom
Circle of Security Classroom (COS Classroom) delivers the same core content as the COSP parenting program; however, is focused specifically for educators and childcare professionals and interactions in their work setting.
The program explores how to meet the emotional needs of children in larger group settings, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by early childhood staff. Participants are encouraged to see themselves as key attachment figures in each child’s life—supporting the development of strong, positive relationships that nurture a child’s sense of security and belonging outside of the family setting.
Our service is unique in the fact we are funded to provide this professional development FREE of charge and face-to-face. Many out-of-town providers deliver the same program content at a cost, usually starting at $500 per staff member.
Our accredited staff will provide each participant with a COS Classroom certificate of completion once they have completed the full course.
Paint The Town REaD
Paint The Town REaD (PTTR) is a community-driven early literacy initiative that encourages families and community members to embrace and share the joy of reading with young children.
Research shows that children who have strong, positive engagement with books from birth are more likely to experience success in school and achieve better outcomes as adults.
In Lithgow, Paint The Town REaD was founded through a partnership between LINC Communities and Kids, Thrive Family Service, and HIPPY Bowenfels. Together, these services have collaborated to gift PTTR free Swap Boxes across 14 locations in the Lithgow area — including 6 childcare centres, 3 libraries, and community groups such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Each PTTR Swap Box contains books for children and families to take, read, and share, helping make literacy a fun and accessible part of daily life. Alongside the boxes, we’ve also provided complementing literacy resources to further support early language and reading development within our community.
Information Links
National Domestic Family & Sexual Violence Support service – https://1800respect.org.au/ 1800 737 732
Lifeline – www.lifeline.org.au or 131114
Kids Helpline – https://kidshelpline.com.au/ 1800 55 1800
Link2Home – 1800 326 989
NSW Housing/ Homelessness Support – https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/social-affordable/emergency-housing/homelessness
Parent Helpline – www.parentline.org.au or 1300 130053
Poisons information Line – www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au 13 1126
The Australian Parenting website – www.raisingchildren.net.au
Playgroups NSW – www.playgroupnsw.org.au or 1800 171 882
Smith Family – www.thesmithfamily.com.au – 1300 326 459
HIPPY Bowenfels – HIPPY helps build parents skills and confidence in their role as their child’s first teacher – www.hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au or 0409 362 663
Australian Breast Feeding Association – https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ 1800 mum 2 mum – 1800 686 268
Panda – (National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline) https://www.panda.org.au/ 1300 726 306
Beyond Blue – https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 224 636
Carer Gateway – https://www.carergateway.gov.au/ 1800 422 737
Family Relationship Advice Line – https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line 1800 050 321
Health Direct Australia – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ 1800 022 222
Mens Line – https://mensline.org.au/ 1300 789 978
Q Line – https://qlife.org.au/ 1800 184 527
Circle of Security Parenting program – parenting programs and training for professionals – www.circleofsecurityinternational.com
Early Intervention
Lifestart – providing quality services to children and young people living with a disability www.lifestart.org.au or 1800 953 390
Ripples Therapy – https://ripples.net.au/ 0448 817 926
Lithgow Hospital -for support with Speech Pathology, Occupational therapy, hearing health, Physiotherapy, Dental and Community nurse – www.nbmlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/lithgow-hospital or 6352 2300
Lithgow Community Projects inc. – Specialised Homelessness Service and Domestic and family violence – www.lcpinc.org or 1800 664 996
Thrive Services – Providing parenting and family programs in Lithgow – www.thriveservices.org.au or 63 514055
Benevolent Society – support services for children, young people, families, people with disability, older Australians and carers – www.benevolent.org.au or 1800 236 762
Banardos Australia – Dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, young people and their families to recover and thrive – www.barnardos.org.au or 1300 237 507
NDIS Local Area Coordination – https://www.ndis.gov.au/node/735 1300 453 303
