27
Bedrooms
4
Units
746
Families stay a year
Staying at the house
Ronald McDonald House Randwick gives seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families.
Our House is a warm and supportive home-away-from-home for families of children travelling to Randwick for treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Ronald McDonald House Randwick is committed to providing family-focused care allowing families to stay by their child’s side during their treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Our communal facilities help to create a social and supportive environment and offer a few of the comforts of home that make life just that little bit easier.
Our Team
Our team of dedicated staff are guided by Chief Executive Officer Simone Daher. Our House also relies on a committed group of friendly volunteers who generously give their time to make our families feel welcome and supported.
An after-hours caretaker lives on the premises and can be contacted 24 hours a day in case of emergency.
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Call the House on (02) 9382 1622
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
Who’s eligible to stay with us?
Keeping the family together under extraordinary circumstances can be extremely tough without support, which is why we offer accommodation for parents and carers who need to travel to the Sydney Children’s Hospital for treatment. We try to accommodate the needs of families where we can, but this is always subject to availability. Priority is given to families whose children have been recently diagnosed, seriously injured or who require emergency treatment.
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 uproot your family, away from home, work, school and your entire support network as a result of your child’s illness is extraordinarily challenging. Our House has a wonderful community spirit and supportive nature, 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. Contact us on (02) 9382 1622 or randwick@rmhc.org.au
House location
Our House is conveniently situated on the Prince of Wales Hospital campus, a five-minute walk to the Sydney Children’s Hospital wards. Our location in the Eastern Sydney suburb of Randwick offers all the amenities you need within easy walking distance, including a shopping centre and supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, a local cinema and access to beautiful beaches.
Contact us
T. 02 9382 1622
149 – 151 Barker Street Randwick NSW 2031
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
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By car
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By bus
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House Facilities
While there is no place like home, we do our best to create an environment that is both nurturing and empowering, ensuring families feel supported for however long they need to stay.
Whether you’ll be staying with us for just a couple of nights or have a long road ahead of you, our House functions as a real home with real families, with staff and volunteers available to provide a shoulder to lean on or help make a cup of tea and everything in between.
Guest rooms and self-contained units
Our House comprises of 30 family bedrooms with access to shared bathroom facilities. Included in these rooms are 4 fully self-contained units with their own kitchen, ensuite and laundry for children which are usually reserved for children staying in the House who require isolation as a medical necessity.
Communal kitchen
Our large, fully-equipped communal kitchen offers space for several families to prepare their own meals at the same time. We have four separate cooking stations as well as dishwashers to make washing up quick and easy. The pantry is always kept stocked with complimentary tea, coffee, fresh fruit, breakfast cereals and other basic food items. You will be provided with your own dedicated drawer and fridge space to store your favorite foods. Last but not least, we have the star of morning mealtimes, our pancake machine!
Family room and dining area
Our spacious open plan family room and dining space is the most social part of the House. It’s furnished with communal tables, a lovely fireplace for relaxing around as well as a smart TV to keep everyone occupied between appointments or for keeping up with everyone’s favourite TV shows.
Guest laundry
No matter where you go as a family, dirty laundry is an unavoidable fact of life! Our laundry is equipped with washing machines and dryers to help you keep on top of the washing duties.
Outdoor area and playground
Taking the time out to get some fresh air is vital when you’re going through a stressful period. Our ground floor outdoor area is a sun-shaded spot to unwind at the end of a tiring day. Here you’ll find a BBQ and alfresco tables and chairs so the family can get together for a meal outdoors. To keep the little ones occupied, we have our very own McDonald’s style outdoor playground with slides and climbing equipment.
Indoor play spaces
For our younger guests, our secure indoor Interactive Zone is a multi-sensory space and interactive room, stocked with a colourful array of toys, books and activities for children of all ages and abilities as well as a gaming console for the older kids.
Computer station
We have a computer station in the House which provides computers with wi-fi access to help families keep in touch with home through Skype and social media, stay on top of practical matters like emails and paying bills, and for kids to use for their schoolwork.
Learning space
All children staying at our House can take part in educationally supportive and fun activities throughout their stay, at our dedicated Learning Space provided by our professional Learning Program staff.
We run a ‘Homework Heroes’ club three afternoons a week, Big Book Breakfast every Friday morning and scheduled school holiday programs. There’s always something going on that will appeal to different ages and abilities.
House Programs
Ronald McDonald House Randwick 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 across Sydney.
There are many ways you can contribute to our vital programs including our House, our three Family Rooms (Sydney Children's Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital and Wollongong Hospital) and Learning Program.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us: (02) 9382 1622
Email us: supporting.sydney@rmhc.org.au
Make a Difference
For the 746 families who stayed at our house in 2019, everyday life is less than ordinary. Families’ lives have been turned upside down by a child’s serious illness or injury and the one thing most families desperately long for is a bit of normality.
Ronald McDonald House Sydney gives families struggling with extraordinary circumstances, far from home, somewhere they can share everyday family moments and live like a normal family.
Demand for our services has never been greater. Your generous gift will help keep families close when they are facing the most difficult time of their lives.
Your support makes a BIG difference.
Make your one-off donation NOW
Become a Sydney House Hero and help us fund long-term projects that will benefit sick kids and their families now and into the future.
From $25 a month you can support families whose lives have been effected by a child’s serious illness and together we can give seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families
Become a Sydney House Hero NOW
'Pay It Forward' Employee Engagement Program
Families that stay at Ronald McDonald House Randwick have their world turned upside down. They have to drop everything, come to Sydney Children’s Hospital so their seriously sick child can get the immediate help they need.
We believe in trying to remove the stresses that come with quickly moving your life to focus on the health of your child – that includes providing a place for them to stay, providing a nice clean home that families would appreciate after a long day spent beside their child’s hospital bed.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney, located in Randwick, offer a number of Employee Engagement Programs for your organisation. This include:
- Home For Dinner
- Big Brekkie
- High Tea Party
- Working Bee
- Workplace Giving
By participating in one of our programs, you are sure to deliver better staff engagement, improved reputation and you’ll be having a positive impact on the local community.
Fundraise For us
Fundraising is an incredibly important part of how we keep our house running and with your support we will be able to continue to support families and their children for many more years to come.
Fundraising for us can be as big or a little as you like! You can host anything from a morning tea where ticket proceeds come back to the House, have a bake stall where kids or students make delicious designs, or go all out and crowd fund in your community to make huge changes in the lives of our families. Anything and everything you do helps!
Register to make an impact today now!
For more information or to get started with your fundraiser, please contact our Fundraising and Events Manager on 02 9382 1622 or email supporting.sydney@rmhc.org.au
Volunteer
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of RMHC Sydney, serving the needs of our seriously ill children and their families at our House in Randwick or our Family Rooms in Sydney Children’s Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital or Wollongong Hospital 365 days a year. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and contribute their special talents and energy in many different ways during their time spent with us, performing essential functions that keep our spaces clean, ensuring our families are comfortable and delivering smiles when they are needed the most.
To learn more about volunteering at the House or our Family Rooms in Sydney Children’s Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, and Wollongong Hospital, please contact volunteering.sydney@rmhc.org.au or call 02 9382 1622.
Heart of our Home - Sponsor A Room
Sponsoring a room or space in our Randwick House of Family Rooms carries a range of meaningful benefits that begin when we attach your plaque to the door and continue throughout the year. This vital program allows RMHC Sydney to continue supporting seriously ill children and their families for however long they need our help with spaces that deliver warmth, security and sense of community under extraordinary circumstances. Laundry facilities, family-friendly kitchens, hot showers and comfortable beds are small things that make a huge difference for a family while far from home, friends and extended family.
This support determines how the House operates, directly impacting our ability to provide urgent and ongoing maintenance and upkeep. Your generous commitment to sponsor a room or space today will ensure RMHC Sydney has the resources necessary to keep 800+ families close year after year.
To find out more information about how you can sponsor a room, please contact our Corporate Relationship Manager, Alex Reilly on (02) 9382 1622 | alex.reilly@rmhc.org.au