Where Belonging Begins
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Strengthening Communities and Discovering the everyday neighbourhood assets.
What does it take to build an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone in your
local community, with no one left behind?
Join community development leader Cormac Russell, coming all the way from Ireland, for
an inspiring and practical one-day workshop exploring how stronger, more connected
communities are built from the inside out.
This is a rare opportunity to spend a day learning from an internationally recognised speaker
who has trained communities, agencies, NGOs and governments in Asset-Based
Community Development (ABCD) and other community-based approaches in Africa, Asia,
Australia/Oceania, Europe and North America.
Cormac believes that neighbourhoods are the most important unit of change.
Throughout the day, he will share practical strategies to help participants discover “What’s
strong?” in their neighbourhood, and can be built on, rather than starting by asking “What’s
wrong?”.
You’ll explore how families, neighbours, community groups, councils and organisations can
create real opportunities for connection, contribution and belonging by discovering the
strengths in your community that you may have never noticed before.
A highlight of the day is the hands-on community mapping experience to help you
explore how to put the theory into practice. Working in small groups, participants will go on a Community Walk in the Parramatta neighbourhood to discover the people, places, gathering spaces, associations and everyday assets that make Parramatta thrive.
You’ll learn how to see beyond the obvious, identify local opportunities for connection, and
practise community discovery techniques. The walk will give you the tools you need to do
the same in your own community.
Meet your speaker, Cormac Russell:
Cormac is a Founding Director of Nurture Development and a faculty member of the ABCD
Institute at DePaul University in Chicago. For more than 25 years, he has worked alongside
communities, governments and organisations in over 35 countries, helping people discover
the strengths, relationships and local assets that create stronger, more connected
communities. His practical, strengths-based approach has inspired communities around the
world and is transforming the way people think about belonging and inclusion.
You should attend to:
Refresh and reinvigorate your perception of community
Meet others working towards more inclusive and vibrant communities
Understand what strengths in community you, your family member or your business
may be missing out on
Hear about a framework to pick up and utilise yourself
Understand how families, communities and organisations can work together.
Who is this event for?
People who want to build local communities where everyone experiences connection,
contribution and belonging.
We invite community focused individuals, community organisations and businesses who
support community to join us for this special event.
Cost: Free for people with disability and family members. $45 for professionals.
Book here: https://bit.ly/WhereBelongingBegins_August2026
Who is Resourcing Inclusive Communities?
Resourcing Inclusive Communities is an initiative of Family Advocacy that provides
information and resources to assist people with disability to live meaningful lives, as valued
members of their communities. Find out more at https://www.ric.org.au/
