The importance of community is wonderfully illustrated in this video as Davi finds a place to belong at Back2Bikes in Port Melbourne. Superbly bolstered by his friend Helen, and Back2Bikes' manager Mark, Davi's years of volunteering at this not-for-profit community bike workshop has resulted in Davi learning an extensive bike maintenance skillset, the forging of strong friendships that extend beyond the workshop, and culminated in numerous glorious bike rides around Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.

The importance of community is wonderfully illustrated in this video as Davi finds a place to belong at Back2Bikes in Port Melbourne. Superbly bolstered by his friend Helen, and Back2Bikes' manager Mark, Davi's years of volunteering at this not-for-profit community bike workshop has resulted in Davi learning an extensive bike maintenance skillset, the forging of strong friendships that extend beyond the workshop, and culminated in numerous glorious bike rides around Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.

Davi is truly living The Good Life. Juli, Davi's Mother, held a vision for Davi from a very early age to live an inclusive life just like his brothers and sisters. With the support of family and friends Davi now enjoys living with a housemate in his own home, working in a builders supplies store, volunteering at a community bike shop, and many other community and family oriented activities. Davi's Good Life is a wonderful example of how the right vision and the right supports can lead to an inclusive, community focused lifestyle surrounded by friends and family.

Davi is truly living The Good Life. Juli, Davi's Mother, held a vision for Davi from a very early age to live an inclusive life just like his brothers and sisters. With the support of family and friends Davi now enjoys living with a housemate in his own home, working in a builders supplies store, volunteering at a community bike shop, and many other community and family oriented activities. Davi's Good Life is a wonderful example of how the right vision and the right supports can lead to an inclusive, community focused lifestyle surrounded by friends and family.

The value of connecting in your local neighbourhood can never be underestimated. In this video presentation you will hear from the President of Neighbourhood Connect Irene Opper who outlines the history of the Neighbourhood Connect Initiative, how it works, and a number of benefit generating outcomes. You will also hear from Rebecca Feldman, Belonging Matters' Individualised Living Options Manager, who explains how her own local Neighbourhood Connect Program fostered some wonderful life experiences. Bec also worked as a volunteer for Neighbourhood Connect.

In this documentary you will meet Michael, a valued member of his local lawn bowls club. Throughout his 12 year membership at the Elwood Bowls Club Michael has developed a multitude of Valued Social Roles through his participation as a competitive and social lawn bowler, and numerous volunteer positions. You will discover that the Elwood Bowls Club is a place where Michael can pursue his passion, feel valued, and develop life long friendships.

In this video we reflect on why Valued Roles for people with intellectual disability matter in the community. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 19 “…the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others…and facilitate their full inclusion and participation in the community.” In this video, narrated by Brodie McElroy, Belonging Matters talks with a variety of people with intellectual disabilities who are prospering in their respective communities through valued roles.

Amelia Sloan is a high school student living in Melbourne, Australia, and is a enjoying life to the fullest. She attends Our Lady of Sion College where she is as included in everyday school life as any other student particularly enjoying Music, Art, and Food Technology classes. Amelia is also included, if not excelling, in her community having featured in an Australian Government advertising campaign, 'Girls Make Your Move', promoting healthy lifestyles for young women, she is a regular at her local gym, Aquarena, and has recently become a public speaker having presented at the Belonging Matters' Conference, 2017 In this video Amelia presents her Inclusion story at the 2017 Belonging Matters' Conference and fields questions from the delegates.

Brodie McElroy interviews delegates at the Belonging Matters' Conference, 2017, garnering their thoughts on 'Why does Belonging Matter?'

DR Michael Kendrick is an independent international consultant in human services and community work and resides in Massachusetts, USA. His interests have included social integration, change, innovation, values, service quality, the creation of safeguards for vulnerable people, advocacy, the role of individual persons and small groups in creating solutions, personalised support approaches, leadership and reform in the human service field. Visit Michael's website at www.kendrickconsulting.org

DR Michael Kendrick is an independent international consultant in human services and community work and resides in Massachusetts, USA. His interests have included social integration, change, innovation, values, service quality, the creation of safeguards for vulnerable people, advocacy, the role of individual persons and small groups in creating solutions, personalised support approaches, leadership and reform in the human service field. Visit Michael's website at ww.kendrickconsulting.org

DR Michael Kendrick is an independent international consultant in human services and community work and resides in Massachusetts, USA. His interests have included social integration, change, innovation, values, service quality, the creation of safeguards for vulnerable people, advocacy, the role of individual persons and small groups in creating solutions, personalised support approaches, leadership and reform in the human service field. Visit Michael's website at ww.kendrickconsulting.org

Warren O'Brien has been a member of the Salvation Army since his early teenage years and, along with his family, has been a dedicated parishioner at the Salvation Army Church in Box Hill. This long term inclusion with the Salvation Army has given Warren a sense of belonging and allowed him to develop as a person through the various roles he fulfills including the church collection, working in the church cafe, and as a friend to many of the other parishioners. Highly respected within the Box Hill Salvation Army Church, Warren has made a big impression on many of his fellow parishioners and church leaders all of whom are delighted to be connected with The Salvo.

Warren O'Brien has been an officer in the Salvation Army since his early teenage years and, along with his family, has been a dedicated parishioner at the Salvation Army Church in Box Hill. This long term inclusion with the Salvation Army has given Warren a sense of belonging and allowed him to develop as a person through the various roles he fulfills including the church collection, working in the church cafe, and as a friend to many of the other parishioners. Highly respected within the Box Hill Salvation Army Church, Warren has made a big impression on many of his fellow parishioners and church leaders all of whom are delighted to be connected with The Salvo.

Delegates at the 2015 Belonging Matters conference tell us what they belong to.

Vox Popper Cameron Skinner provides an interview, drawing on his Vox Pop experience at the 2013 Belonging Matters Social Inclusion Conference. Watch more videos from the conference, presentations and vox pops at http://www.belongingmatters.org/#!gallery/c1nzd

Neil Barringham and Kim Chidgey In this presentation explains some things learned from being involved in his community with disabilities. He explores how this personal engagement moved into a professional engagement and how A Place to Belong - a small community agency - emerged from this. Neil will describe some of the central guiding principles, values and strategies around which their work focuses and share how understanding belonging helps us approach our work. Kim shares his powerful personal story and explains the struggles of being involved in the mental health system as opposed to his involvment with a Place to belong which respects individuals, relationships and community. around which their work focuses and share how understanding belonging helps us approach our work. Kim shares his powerful personal story and explains the struggles of being involved in the mental health system as opposed to his involvment with a Place to belong which respects individuals, relationships and community.