Group Programs
If you, your child, teen, or young adult finds socialising tricky — or they haven’t found their people yet — our group programs might be the perfect fit.
Three Tiers of Support
At Making Connections Toowoomba, we offer three tiers of group programs so you can choose what best fits your needs, comfort level, and goals:
- Social Clubs – relaxed, interest-based spaces where friendships grow naturally
- Social Coaching – small groups with guided interaction and professional coaching
- Skills Programs – structured, goal-focused sessions for building specific social or life skills
Why Families Love Our Approach
Our three-tier model gives families:
- Choice – pick the level of structure and support that suits you
- Flexibility – mix and match across the tiers as needs evolve
- Affordability – our tiered pricing is designed to keep our services accessible and inclusive for all families
All of our services and programs are open to families with and without NDIS funding.
Scroll down to explore each program tier.
Social Clubs
Click any Expression of Interest tab.
Same form for all programs
About Our Clubs
Our Social Clubs are small, welcoming groups where young people can connect, relax, and enjoy shared interests with others who “get it.”
Each club is built around a common interest — like art, gaming, cooking or Dungeons & Dragons — so socialising happens naturally through doing something together. With predictable routines and gentle structure, it’s a space where participants can feel comfortable being themselves, without the pressure to mask.
These are not unstructured hangouts, and they’re not therapy. They’re thoughtfully facilitated spaces where connection, confidence and a sense of belonging can grow over time.
Is this a good fit?
Our clubs may be a good fit if you or your young person:
- Enjoy connecting with others, but find typical social settings challenging
- Prefer relaxed, interest-based activities
- Can participate independently (without a parent or support worker in the room)
- Are looking for connection and confidence — not a formal therapy program
What clubs do you have?
We offer a range of interest-based clubs so each person can find a group that feels like the right fit.
Grades 4–6
• LEGO Club
(coming Term 3)
Tweens & Teens
• Saturdays Art & Craft
• Build Club
• Colour Creatives (teens with learning differences)
Young Adults
• The Meeting Place
• Art Circle
• The Social Space (YAs with learning differences)
Dates and details?
Email to request an information sheet. Please ensure you tell us which club/s you are intered in.
How to ENROL
Step 1 – Give us information by submitting an Expression of Interest form (click any EOI tab- it's the same form for all programs)
Step 2 - We’ll be in touch by email or phone. If there’s availability and the group seems like a good fit, we’ll offer you the option to visit and see our space before starting.
Step 3– When you’re ready to join, we’ll send our Service Agreement to secure your spot.
What People Say
"I don't know where I'd be without this group. I honestly don't".
[20 year old]
"Thank you so much for organising groups for young people to get together. Because of you Fiona, they have a place to meet other young people. It is a place where they can have a chat, have a laugh and have fun learning different skills. My granddaughter loves MCT so much, and the changes in her are amazing. She is more chatty with people, she has less anxiety in bigger groups, and most importantly, she is going to the place that is only hers! So Fiona a BIG thank you for creating a happy and friendly atmosphere. Your knowledge, enthusiasm, calmness, patience... and your happy smile are greatly appreciated!".
[Grandparent]
Social Coaching
Programs of Support
Click any Expression of Interest tab.
Same form for all programs
About Our Social Coaching Programs
Our Social Coaching Programs support young people to build meaningful friendships and feel more confident in social situations.
Together, we explore what makes a quality friend, how to handle tricky social moments, and practise helpful strategies in a supportive group. Learning is active and practical — through discussion, observation, fun games, and activities that create opportunities for real-time social coaching.
Sessions are structured and facilitated by qualified professionals, creating a space where participants can reflect, practise, and grow over time.
Our approach draws on evidence-based frameworks, including social–emotional learning (CASEL), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Social Learning Theory.
Our programs are open to families with and without NDIS funding.
Is this a good fit?
Our Social Coaching Programs may be a good fit if you or your young person:
- Wants to better understand friendships and social situations
- Is open to learning and practising new strategies
- Can participate independently (without a parent or support worker in the room)
- Benefits from guidance, structure, and feedback
- Is looking for a supported and fun small-group learning environment
Clubs vs Coaching
Our Social Clubs focus on connection through shared interests, while our Social Coaching Programs explicitly teach, coach and practise social strategies through guided activities and real-time coaching.
Why social coaching?
Social coaching helps young people build the confidence and tools to connect with others in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
Evidence shows that learning and reflecting alongside likeminded peers who are having similar experiences builds social understanding, self-awareness, social communication, and self-regulation. It also builds a sense of belonging and positive self-identity with the powerful realisation that you’re not the only one navigating these challenges.
In a structured, but fun and low-pressure setting, participants can practise real interactions and develop social strategies with the support of professional instruction and coaching.
What coaching groups do you have?
Tweens & Teens
• Sense & Create (craft-based sensory program)
• Making Social Connections Friendship Group
• Dungeons & Dragons
Young Adults (18-30)
• Monday Meeting Place
Dates & details?
Email to request an information sheet. Please ensure you tell us which club/s you are intered in.
How to ENROL
Step 1 – Give us information by submitting an Expression of Interest form (click any EOI tab- it's the same form for all programs)
Step 2 - We’ll be in touch by email or phone. If there’s availability and the group seems like a good fit, we’ll offer you the option to visit and see our space before starting.
Step 3– When you’re ready to join, we’ll send our Service Agreement to secure your spot.
What People Say
"Dear Fiona,
You have shown me that it is okay to feel mad or sad and that I don't need to use these emotions to hurt someone's feelings. You have shown me social strategies I never thought about. Coming here is an amazing experience. Although I have learned many skills; my favourite part of this group is the friends I have made along the the way, and learning to make good friends at school. You're the best."
[Letter from a tween girl]
Skills
Programs of Support
Click any Expression of Interest tab.
Same form for all programs
About Our Skills Programs
Our Skills Programs are structured, evidence-based programs designed for neurodivergent children, teens and young adults.
Each program focuses on building functional capacity through real-world skills — including social communication, emotional wellbeing, daily living, sensory regulation and work readiness — in ways that feel achievable and build confidence over time.
Learning in a group is intentional. Being alongside peers increases motivation and provides meaningful opportunities to practise skills through activities, discussion, and real-life interactions — helping learning “stick” in everyday settings. These shared experiences also support positive, neuro-affirming identity development — outcomes that cannot be replicated in isolation.
Skills are taught step-by-step and reinforced through purposeful, activity-based learning, with caregiver support to help generalise strategies into home, school and community life.
Our approach draws on evidence-based frameworks and programs, including social–emotional learning (CASEL), the PEERS® programs, Social Thinking® methodology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Social Learning Theory.
Our programs are open to families with and without NDIS funding.
Is this a good fit?
Our Skills Programs may be a good fit if you or your young person:
- Is working toward specific goals (e.g., daily living, making and keeping friends, other relationships, emotional regulation, executive functioning, communication, or work readiness)
- Would benefit from building functional capacity in everyday skills
- Benefits from structured, step-by-step learning
- Is open to practising skills in a group setting
- Can participate independently (without a parent or support worker in the room)
Coaching vs Skills
Our Social Coaching Programs focus on understanding and navigating social situations, while our Skills Programs build functional capacity through explicit, step-by-step teaching of real-world skills.
Primary School Social Skills Programs
Grades 1-3
Making Social Connections Social Skills Program
Format: Seven 1.5 hour session per term and two caregiver sessions per term
Availability: Full for 2026.
Taking Expressions of Interest for 2027.
Grades 4-6
Making Social Connections Social Skills Program
Format: Seven 1.5 hour session per term and two caregiver sessions per term
Availability: Full for 2026.
Taking Expressions of Interest for 2027.
PEERS® for Teens Bootcamps
PEERS® Friendship Bootcamp
Ages 14–18 | Starting June 2026
Now taking enrolments
A fast-tracked version of the world-renowned PEERS® program — designed for busy families, regional participants, or teens who want a refresher after completing PEERS®.
Click HERE for full information.
PEERS® for Adults (18-30 yrs)
PEERS® for Young Adults (18–30 years)
PEERS® for Young Adults is an evidence-based social skills program designed to support participants to build and maintain meaningful friendships and relationships.
Across the program, participants learn practical, real-world skills such as starting and maintaining conversations, using humour appropriately, finding and connecting with like-minded people, navigating dating, and handling conflict, rejection and social challenges.
The program runs over 16 sessions (1.5 hours each), delivered across two 8-week blocks. Sessions include explicit teaching, video modelling, role play, and supported practice.
Caregivers play an important role, attending a weekly 1-hour session via Teams to support coaching and help generalise skills into everyday life.
This program is currently full for 2026.
We are now taking expressions of interest for 2027.
OTHER Skills Programs
Organise and Thrive
A 6-session program designed to support executive functioning skills, including organisation, planning, time management and task initiation. Ideal for older teens and young adults who want practical strategies to feel more in control of daily life.
Next cohort starts July 2026.
For more information, email: fiona@makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au
Cooking Program
A fortnightly, two-hour, hands-on cooking program facilitated by our Occupational Therapist. Participants build functional life skills such as planning, following recipes, working as part of a team, and developing confidence in the kitchen.
Currently full. We are taking 2026 expressions of interest for upcoming programs.
Dates and Details
Email for a detailed information pack.
How to enrol
Step 1 – Give us information by submitting an Expression of Interest form (click any EOI tab- it's the same form for all programs)
Step 2 - We’ll be in touch by email or phone. If there’s availability and the group seems like a good fit, we’ll offer you the option to visit and see our space before starting.
Step 3– When you’re ready to join, we’ll send our Service Agreement to secure your spot.
