5
Bedrooms
2
Play Areas
158
Families stay a year
Staying at the house
Our Tamworth House gives seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families. Our house is a warm and supportive home-away-from-home for families with children receiving treatment at Tamworth Hospital.
Over 150 families a year stay with us here in Tamworth. Our comfortable and furnished family bedrooms provide a homely experience for families when they need it most, while our common areas allow for shared journeys and unwavering support.
Our Team
Our tirelessly dedicated team of staff are guided by House Manager Rhiannon Curtis. Our House also relies on a committed group of volunteers who generously give their time to make our families feel welcome and supported.
Who’s eligible to stay with us?
Keeping the family together can be extremely tough without support, which is why we offer accommodation for families with seriously ill children who need to travel to Tamworth Hospital for treatment. Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies.
We try to accommodate the needs of families where we can, but this is always subject to availability. We only have a limited amount of space in the house, so accommodation is dependent on room availability and priority is given to those in emergency and life threatening situations.
Fees
Ronald McDonald House understands that being away from home for long periods of time can put families under financial pressure. That’s why our accommodation is free for eligible families of seriously ill children.
While our policy is to provide free accommodation, your stay at the House may require you to claim financial support towards accommodation and travel from the relevant government transport assistance scheme in your home state. Our friendly team are happy to work with you to apply for the relevant financial support.
To find out if you’re eligible for government financial assistance, contact your hospital social worker or talk to one of our team.
Want to know more?
Being forced to move your family far from home, work, school and your entire support network due to a child’s illness is extraordinarily tough. Our House has a wonderful community spirit, where you’ll be able to connect with other families going through experiences similar to your own. Our communal facilities also provide families with the independence to be able to cater for themselves and keep up with day-to-day living as much as possible.
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Call the house on (02) 6767 8900
Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority.
Keeping our families safe COVID-19
Given the current COVID-19 situation, continuing to provide a safe and supportive environment for families of seriously ill children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.
For the latest information please visit rmhc.org.au/covid-19
House location
Ronald McDonald House Tamworth can be found on the grounds of Tamworth Hospital. Conveniently close enough to the hospital wards and rooms yet occupying its own peaceful setting.
Contact us
31 Dean Street North Tamworth NSW 2340
Keeping our families safe COVID-19
Given the current COVID-19 situation, continuing to provide a safe and supportive environment for families of seriously ill children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.
For the latest information please visit rmhc.org.au/covid-19
How to get there
By train
The closest train station is Tamworth Station.
By car
We are located to the rear of Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, enter via Dean St.
By bus
There are two bus routes that stop at the hospital, the Oxley Vale Route and the North and East Route. Both stop a short walk up Dean St to the House.
House Facilities
While there’s no place like home, we do our best to create an environment that’s as homely as possible.
Whether you’ll be staying with us for just a couple of nights or have many months ahead of you, our house functions as a real home, with everything you need.
Family Bedrooms
Our 5 bedrooms are a spacious retreat for whole families. They offer the privacy families need whilst only being a few steps away from common areas where families support one another. Each bedroom has a full ensuite, TV, A/C, fresh linen and a special welcome pack for each child lovingly created by knitters in our community.
Fully-equipped Kitchen
Our kitchen is a nourishing space, for the body...and the mind! This is where families meet, eat and share stories. Each family has allocated fridge, freezer and pantry space for anything they wish to bring into the house.
Playroom
Watching movies on our big comfortable lounges, art and craft tables, toys, books, video games and some rocking horses too...our playroom makes this a welcoming space for young people.
Laundry Facilities
Our washing machines and dryers, as well as detergent, are free of charge for families to use. There’s also an outside clothes line if needed.
Outdoor playground and BBQ area
Let their imagination run wild (and set your BBQing skills free) in our backyard playground. Kids will love the play fort and grassed play area in the shade, all moments from mum or dad cooking up the quintessential Aussie BBQ lunch or dinner.
Parking and Transport
With free car parking onsite, buses nearby and statewide train service within a 10 minute drive, families can move around with ease.
House Programs
Ronald McDonald House Tamworth is an independent charity that relies on the work of our volunteers and the financial support of individual and corporate donations.
Without their generous contributions, we would be unable to keep our doors open to families in need 365 days a year. Thanks to the public, we’ve been able to continually expand our operations to help more families and communities in Tamworth.
There are many ways you can contribute to our vital programs including our Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats and Learning Program.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us: (02) 6767 8900
Email us: taminfo.nnsw@rmhc.org.au
Fundraise For us
Our supporters have done some pretty amazing things to raise money to help keep families close. What will you do?
Here are three simple steps to help get you started.
1. Choose your fundraising event
Whether you're an individual, a school, a community group or an organization, there are lots of ways to raise funds for families with a sick or injured child. You could hold a trivia night, a mufti day or sausage sizzle.
2. Tell us about your event
Email us at info@rmhnnsw.org.au and we'll send you a form to register your event.
3. Set up your online fundraising page
One of the easiest ways to collect funds is through your own online fundraising page. It's easy to do, you can even add your own photos and blog posts. Don't forget to share it with your friends and family and post it on your social media networks to spread the word about the amazing thing you are doing raising funds to help keep families close.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are the ‘Heart of the House’ and we could not provide the service we do without them. Passionate and caring community members spanning all ages carry out a variety of roles including reception, general assistance within the House, overnight supervision and tours for visitors. Our group of Community Volunteers help out at events and fundraising activities in the community.
Not only do our volunteers help the families through difficult times, they benefit personally by having the opportunity to meet new people, develop new friendships and gain skills. A variety of training options are provided free to volunteers including first aid, cultural respect and child safety.
Ronald McDonald House recruit Volunteers throughout the year and have a limited number of volunteer positions available. To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Ronald McDonald House please contact us at taminfo@rmhnnsw.org.au or call (02) 6767 8900
Sponsor A Room
You can help make sure families with a sick or injured child have a safe and supportive place to stay by becoming a room sponsor.
Or you could help a family relax and reconnect with a much needed holiday at the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Forster by sponsoring a cabin.
By sponsoring a room or cabin you can ensure the costs associated with running the room or cabin are covered for the entire year.
Each sponsor has their names on a plaque on the door of their sponsored room.
Sponsoring a room or cabin is a great opportunity become part of the Ronald McDonald House NNSW family by helping provide accommodation for families caring for a seriously ill or injured child.
If you are interested in finding our more information on sponsoring a room or cabin, please contact us at taminfo@rmhnnsw.org.au or call (02) 6767 8900
Meals From The Heart
The Meals from the Heart program invites teams of co-workers or community groups to have a hands-on opportunity to directly show your support to families.
We provide the kitchen and cooking facilities, and you provide the menu, food and enthusiastic chefs! You'll be rewarded with a fun and meaningful experience knowing that you are making our families lives a little bit easier.
Want to get your chef's hat on and bring your team together and participate in Meals from the Heart?
Please contact us for more at taminfo@rmhnnsw.org.au or call (02) 6767 8900
Help with our WishList
You can help lighten the burden families face. Make a donation today to help buy the items needed to make sure our families have a “home away from home”. Giving them time to focus on what’s important, their sick child.
By giving a donation today, rather than donating the items directly, your dollar will go further in helping families with a sick or injured child. We can buy items in bulk and if we have enough of a specific item your donation can go to where it is most needed. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Thank you!
Email us for our current WishList at taminfo@rmhnnsw.org.au
Leave a Gift in your Will
Leaving a gift in your will, or a bequest, is a wonderful legacy for future generations. Anyone can leave a charitable bequest. It is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the future, without affecting your finances in the present.
Whenever the time is right for you, please consider remembering Ronald McDonald House Charities in your Will. Your gift will provide love, care and support for seriously ill children and their families whenever they need it.
For information on how to leave a bequest email contact us at info.nnsw@rmhc.org.au or call (02) 4957 7783