Hastings Neighbourhood Services
Welcome to
Individual & Family Capacity Building
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Grace Thompson - IFCB Coordinator
[email protected] |
0438 960 332
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Lulu Coulson - Community and Peer Engagement Officer [email protected]
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0458 599 487
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Varsha Godbole - Community and Peer Engagement Officer [email protected]
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0459 195 972
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Grace Rich - Community and Peer Engagement Officer [email protected]
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0438 862 560
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We celebrate diversity and welcome individuals of all abilities. We recognise the First Nations Peoples of Australia, paying homage to the cultural traditions of Elders past, present, and emerging, and we honor the Birpai people upon whose land we gather.
IFCB - What We Do
Who IFCB will Service:
The Individual and Families Capacity Building Program (IFCB) will service individuals with Intellectual Disability, Autism, ADHD, Sensory Disability, and Acquired Brain Injury, their families and carers. The IFCB program will target individuals aged between 9 - 65 and support them to build personal and systems capacity so that they can self advocate, navigate service systems and access relevant supports.
What Support IFCB can Offer:
The Individual and Family Capacity Building Program (IFCB) will include a 4 person team who will deliver the program via 1:1 goal planning and achievement strategy sessions, capacity building assessments, social and peer support groups, information sessions and skills development workshops. All IFCB supports are free to the community with the availability to self-refer into the program.
Where the IFCB Program will Provide Service:
The IFCB program will service the communities of Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Lake Cathie, Kempsey and Laurieton with a number of outreach days across each location.
IFCB Aims and Community Outcomes:
Over the course of the 2 year IFCB funding, the program will strive towards a number of community outcomes such as:
The Individual and Families Capacity Building Program (IFCB) will service individuals with Intellectual Disability, Autism, ADHD, Sensory Disability, and Acquired Brain Injury, their families and carers. The IFCB program will target individuals aged between 9 - 65 and support them to build personal and systems capacity so that they can self advocate, navigate service systems and access relevant supports.
What Support IFCB can Offer:
The Individual and Family Capacity Building Program (IFCB) will include a 4 person team who will deliver the program via 1:1 goal planning and achievement strategy sessions, capacity building assessments, social and peer support groups, information sessions and skills development workshops. All IFCB supports are free to the community with the availability to self-refer into the program.
Where the IFCB Program will Provide Service:
The IFCB program will service the communities of Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Lake Cathie, Kempsey and Laurieton with a number of outreach days across each location.
IFCB Aims and Community Outcomes:
Over the course of the 2 year IFCB funding, the program will strive towards a number of community outcomes such as:
- Increased resilience for the individual and family unit.
- Increased confidence in identifying, planning and managing transitions through key life stages.
- Reduction in societal barriers to allow for all ability inclusion.
- Increased community capacity to recognise and remove inclusion barriers and embrace welcoming inclusion practices.
Servicing the Communities of:
Meet The IFCB Team
Grace Thompson
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Meet Grace our IFCB Coordinator
Grace is an AASW registered Social Worker who has previous experience working within the Child Protection sector. Grace began her journey with HNS during her time at UNI where she completed her first 500 hours of placement at the PMQ Neighbourhood Centre. When HNS received funding for their ILC program Grace joined the team as the Community Engagement Officer and 2 years later, has moved into the IFCB team as Coordinator. |
Grace is a country girl who moved from Hay to Port Macquarie for a sea change and loves exploring rock pools and waterfalls. In her spare time Grace is either burying her head in a good book, fishing, or spending quality time on the beach with her two sausage dogs and Husband.
Grace is passionate about the impact the IFCB program can have and feels privileged to work alongside the HNS team and the Hastings / Macleay community to create inclusive and empowering opportunities for all.
Grace is passionate about the impact the IFCB program can have and feels privileged to work alongside the HNS team and the Hastings / Macleay community to create inclusive and empowering opportunities for all.
Lulu Coulson
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Meet Lulu our IFCB Community and Peer Officer
Lulu began her journey in the community services sector after working 9 years within the allied health sector in rehabilitation ward at the private hospital. Lulu has completed her Diploma of Community Services and did her 200 hours of work placement with Lifeline with suicide prevention and working as a lived experience peer support worker. |
Lulu is originally from Cairns QLD and has been in Port Macquarie for past 14 years. Lulu moved to Port Macquarie after holidaying here and falling in love with the beaches and community. In her spare time Lulu enjoys spending time with her family (husband, child and chihuahua) out and about walking the break wall and swimming at the beach.
Lulu is passionate about the impact that the new IFCB program can have and feels privileged to work alongside the HNS team and the Hastings community to create inclusive and empowering opportunities for all.
Lulu is passionate about the impact that the new IFCB program can have and feels privileged to work alongside the HNS team and the Hastings community to create inclusive and empowering opportunities for all.
Grace Rich
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Meet Grace our IFCB Community and Peer Officer
Grace holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and has experience in case management and within the disability sector. Grace is passionate about supporting individuals and strengthening communities with empathy and a person-centred approach. Grace lives in Port Macquarie with her two children and their pets. In her free time, she enjoys reading, live music, and exploring new places. |
Vasha Godbole
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Meet Varsha our IFCB Community and Peer Officer
Varsha is a compassionate social worker with over 1,200 hours of field experience across aged care, education, disability, community, and mental health settings. Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strengths-based, and person-centred approaches that promote dignity, independence, and inclusion. |
Alongside her Bachelor of Social Work, she also holds a master’s in commerce and brings experience in customer relationship management and quality assurance across India and Australia, strengthening her ability to build genuine connections and work effectively within complex systems with care and integrity.
Outside of work, Varsha has over 20 years of training and performance in ‘Kathak’, an Indian classical dance form, and has performed at a range of community and charity events, including with the Cancer Council, Royal Child Eye Hospital and Hastings Council. This has shaped her appreciation for rhythm, mindfulness, and embodied expression, and supports her interest in creative, wellbeing-focused approaches such as music, art, and yoga activities.
Having moved from Sydney to Port Macquarie nine years ago, Varsha enjoys the natural beauty of the region and values being part of a welcoming community. She brings this sense of connection, creativity, and care into both her work and everyday life.
Outside of work, Varsha has over 20 years of training and performance in ‘Kathak’, an Indian classical dance form, and has performed at a range of community and charity events, including with the Cancer Council, Royal Child Eye Hospital and Hastings Council. This has shaped her appreciation for rhythm, mindfulness, and embodied expression, and supports her interest in creative, wellbeing-focused approaches such as music, art, and yoga activities.
Having moved from Sydney to Port Macquarie nine years ago, Varsha enjoys the natural beauty of the region and values being part of a welcoming community. She brings this sense of connection, creativity, and care into both her work and everyday life.
Individual and Family Capacity Building
We want to hear from you!
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We want to hear from you. HNS ILC & IFCB are seeking members for our advisory committee.
If you have lived experience of disability, are a carer or family member / friend of someone living with disability we would love to have you join our advisory committee. The advisory committee meets bi monthly for 1 hour with the option to attend via teams or in person. Involvement is flexible and there are no additional commitments involved with becoming a member. If you would like join or find out more about our advisory committee please follow the link below, scan the QR code or contact Grace via email: [email protected] |
Skills Building Workshops -
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Information Sessions -
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Good News Stories
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Where to Find Us
Outreaching to Laurieton and Kempsey
Outreaching to Laurieton and Kempsey
Port Macquarie ILC Centre
Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
2 - 4 Dodds Street,
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Mon - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00pm
2 - 4 Dodds Street,
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Mon - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00pm
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Community and Peer Engagement Officer
Lulu Coulson 0458 599 487 [email protected] Workdays: Monday to Friday |
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Community and Peer Engagement Officer
Vasha Godbole 0459 195 972 [email protected] Workdays: Wednesday to Friday |
Community and Peer Engagement Officer
Grace Rich 0438 862 560 [email protected] Workdays: Monday to Friday |
Lake Cathie ILC Centre
Lake Cathie Community Hub
34 Mullaway Road
Lake Cathie NSW 2445
Mon - Frid 9.00am - 5.00pm
34 Mullaway Road
Lake Cathie NSW 2445
Mon - Frid 9.00am - 5.00pm
Wauchope ILC Centre
4 Tallowood Avenue
PO Box 545
Wauchope NSW 2446
Mon - Frid 9.00am - 5.00pm
PO Box 545
Wauchope NSW 2446
Mon - Frid 9.00am - 5.00pm
FOLLOW THE IFCB ON OUR SOCIALS
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Check out the PMNC Facebook Feed Below
HNS Individuals and Families Capacity Building is funded by the Department of Social Services for the period of 2 years from 1st January 2026 through to 31st December 2027.
This program was funded for capacity building and social participation for community members living with disability. The IFCB team are here to support and welcome individuals who may be experiencing mental health struggles, living with disability, experiencing social barriers or who just wants to learn some extra skills.
The Individual and Families Capacity Team strive to deliver:
This program was funded for capacity building and social participation for community members living with disability. The IFCB team are here to support and welcome individuals who may be experiencing mental health struggles, living with disability, experiencing social barriers or who just wants to learn some extra skills.
The Individual and Families Capacity Team strive to deliver:
- community support programs
- information referrals
- build social connections
- bring the community together
Hastings Neighbourhood Services
We embrace diversity and welcome all.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
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Incorporated as Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre since March 1978
Trading as an Australian Business No: 89592910624 since July 2000 Copyright HNS
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