‘Somewhere to turn’ for children and young adults with rare diseases. Support us today by donating here.

Respite Retreats

SNUG (Special Needs Unlimited Group) provide retreats for families caring for a child with a Rare Disease. These camps offer respite and support networks, allowing families to enjoy a holiday together away from the demands of their caring roles.

Coordinated through the Family Action Centre at The University of Newcastle and funded by the Steve Waugh Foundation, SNUG combines a family holiday with coordinated medical support.

The retreats are hosted at least 4 times a year. The program provides:

  • Access to specialist medical, dental, neurological and other vital care often not available in rural communities
  • Access to recreational facilities for the whole family
  • A program of fun, appropriate activities for special needs children and their families; swimming, tennis, canoeing and much more!
  • A team of trained volunteers to assist families during their stay
  • Opportunities to build support networks through family activities
  • Information to help families improve their knowledge of, and use of, disability services
  • Assistance with family coping skills

"The camp was fantastic! We connected with others who knew exactly what were talking about. We feel we now have lots of support behind us. We walked into the room at the start knowing one family and went home feeling like we had a while new group of friends, which means the world to us."

- Ellen, Craig & Jacob (4yo) from QLD.

To find out more, visit the SNUG website here.