15 Years – 15 Stories of Belonging: Place Based Abilities Program

Belonging is more than being present — it’s about being valued, heard, included, and empowered to contribute. Since 2024, the Place Based Abilities Program (PBA) has been creating opportunities for young people with disability to do exactly that: build confidence, develop skills, form meaningful connections, and actively shape the communities around them.

Delivered by The Place in partnership with ReadyUp Skills and funded by the Australian Government the Place Based Abilities Program was established with a clear vision — to support young people with disability to participate fully in community life while helping create more inclusive, accessible spaces for everyone.

Importantly, the program is completely free to participate in, with no NDIS funding required. By removing financial barriers, PBA ensures more young people can access opportunities to connect, have fun, and belong.

Since its launch, the program has grown across two age groups (10–16 years and 17–25 years), engaging over 75 young people and fostering strong involvement from carers, families, and support workers. Through weekly sessions, participants come together in a strengths-based environment that celebrates individuality, encourages creativity, and nurtures leadership.

Every activity is designed with participation and empowerment at its heart. From collaborative workshops and social activities to creative projects and community planning, participants are supported to discover their strengths, build confidence, and contribute their ideas in meaningful ways.

One of the program’s most powerful achievements has been its focus on co-design and community leadership. Participants have planned and delivered 7 community events, with a total of over 340 attendees. The events have included an Inclusive Halloween Disco, a Cosplay Trivia Night, and a Pizza & Paint Evening. These events were more than social gatherings — they were opportunities for young people to lead, problem-solve, and consider the needs of others while creating welcoming spaces where everyone could feel included.

As one participant reflected: "Planning events helped us think about other people’s needs, like dietary requirements."

The program has also provided opportunities for participants to influence broader conversations around accessibility. Through collaboration with industry experts, young people played a central role in developing an Accessibility Audit App, contributing ideas on everything from identifying barriers to designing questions, layouts, colours, and logo concepts. Their lived experience helped shape a practical tool designed to make communities more accessible for all.

Alongside these projects, participants have built friendships and social confidence through activities that encourage teamwork, creativity, and communication. Whether through clay modelling, puzzle murals, games, communication challenges, or the much-loved Place Based Olympics, each session reinforces a sense of belonging while creating opportunities for personal growth.

Another standout initiative is Placed to Speak, a youth-led podcast created through the program. The podcast gives young people with disability a platform to share their stories, interests, and perspectives with the wider community. Guided by warm and curious hosts, conversations range from funny family stories and beloved pets to reflections on friendship, culture, identity, and community.

At its core, Placed to Speak is about amplifying voices that are too often overlooked. It demonstrates the power of storytelling to build understanding, challenge assumptions, and celebrate the richness of lived experience.

The impact of the Place Based Abilities Program extends far beyond activities and events. Feedback from participants and families consistently highlights increased confidence, stronger social connections, and a genuine sense of being valued and heard.

One parent shared: "He’s so comfortable participating in this group." Another participant simply said: "The program is amazing, there are different activities and games every week!"

These reflections capture what the program is truly about: creating spaces where young people can be themselves, have fun, contribute meaningfully, and feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

As we celebrate 15 Years of Belonging, the Place Based Abilities Program stands as a powerful example of what happens when communities embrace inclusion, remove barriers, and create opportunities for everyone to participate. It shows that belonging is not something we give people — it's something we build together.

We are incredibly proud of the impact of this program and are thrilled that funding has been extended for another year! Thank you to the Australian Government for their continued support of this important community initiative and for helping create a future where young people have the opportunity to belong, contribute, and thrive.