6
Kitchens
60
Bedrooms
2000
Families stay a year
Staying at the house
Ronald McDonald House Westmead 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 The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for treatment.
A safe and welcoming environment where families can stay connected, and parents can communicate more easily with their child's medical team. 2018 saw Ronald McDonald House Westmead completely transformed into a purpose-built, 60 room accommodation facility to be able to cater to more families in need.
Our Team
Our dedicated team of staff work together with 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 parents with seriously ill children receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies.
Priority is given to families who live further from the hospital. Consideration is given to each families’ needs and their child’s medical circumstances. 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 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.
Our Westmead House also provides a 24 hour reception, free onsite parking, as well as kitchen and laundry facilities and recreational activities for children of all ages. Thanks to the dedication of local community and corporate groups, families can regularly enjoy home-cooked meals, educational support, school holiday programs and other personal touches to make getting through a tough time a little bit easier.
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority.
Call the House on 02 9806 7111
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 Westmead is located less than 200m from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, a couple of minutes’ walk through the hospital grounds. The House is located close to Parramatta, Sydney’s second CBD.
Contact us
1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead NSW 2145
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
We are located a 20 minute walk from Westmead train station. Westmead is an easy access station with lifts, ramps and security.
By car
When navigating to the House by car, begin by navigating to Redbank Road in Westmead, and turning from there into Labyrinth Way. There is a parking space allocated for each family staying at RMH Westmead at no charge.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is at the front entrance to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead on Hawkesbury Road, and is a 550m (8 minute) walk from 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, supporting you to get through trying times together.
Bedrooms and self-contained suites
Since undergoing a major renovation in 2018, Ronald McDonald House Westmead now has a total of 60 rooms and can accommodate groups of up to 8 family members through differing floorplans, trundle beds and interconnected rooms.
For those families with severely immune suppressed children or our long stay families, we have several fully self-contained suites with a laundry, kitchen and their own lift access. All our rooms come with complimentary linen and towels and other basic amenities.
Kitchens
With six fully-equipped kitchens within the House -including electric ovens, gas and electric cooktops and dishwashers - families can prepare meals and eat together at a time that suits them.
Additionally, every family has their own fridge and freezer space allocated to their room as well as lockable pantry storage.
Communal Dining
Our communal dining area is fitted with oversized dining rooms tables and even a large fireplace for cosying up with a warm cup of tea in the winter. Every family is welcome to join others in sharing a home-cooked meal on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, all provided by our fabulous community and corporate volunteer groups ‘Meals From the Heart’ program.
Lounge rooms and break-out areas
Our communal lounge is furnished with comfortable couches and seating areas where you can put your feet up after a long day. Televisions are scattered throughout the house, while movie nights are a favourite on the lounge’s big screen TV. Gaming consoles are also available for kids (and their video game loving parents!).
Bike Path
A safe, fun place for children to play with their siblings assists in creating a home away from home experience.
Laundry Facilities
We all know that washing is a chore every parent has to deal with, so to make life easier we have a total of four laundry rooms, each equipped with a number of washing machines and dryers, as well as an outdoor drying area.
Fitness centre
Looking after yourself with regular exercise, especially during stressful times, is so important. Our Fitness Centre for parents and children aged 16 and older includes cardio equipment, weights and a multi-gym machine.
Learning Centre
We’re proud to be able to help children undergoing treatment stay engaged in their studies through our dedicated Learning Centre. We provide complementary schooling and educational activities for pre-school aged kids through to senior high.
House Programs
Ronald McDonald House Westmead 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 NSW.
There are many ways you can contribute to our vital programs including our House, Family Room and Learning Program.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us:(02) 9806 7111
Email us:ourhouse.westmead@rmhc.org.au
Fundraise for us
Fundraising is all about bringing together families, friends, colleagues, schools and community groups to help transform the lives of families in need. It’s an easy, meaningful and fun way you can ensure that vital programs at Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney can continue to support families in need.
Register to make an impact today!
- Host your own fundraiser – At school, at home or in your workplace. It can be as simple or creative as you like.
- Challenge yourself – Get sponsored to go without your favourite things for a month
- Join an event – Keep fit and support families in need
- Give up your gifts – Ask friends to donate in lieu of gifts for you birthday, anniversary or wedding
For more information or to get started with your fundraiser today, please contact our Community Fundraising Coordinator on 02 9806 7111 or email supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au
Sponsor A Room
The RMHC GWS Sponsor a Room program offers tiered sponsorships (different investments for different room types), including name on the door plaques and acknowledgment on the website. Room sponsorship also offers inclusions like access to networking functions, access to book the boardroom or function areas at Ronald McDonald House Westmead, and tickets to the annual Golf Day and Race Day. As a Room Sponsor, your impact is real and you will help to keep families close. Contact our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Matthew Mifsud today at matthew.mifsud@rmhc.org.au or on 02 9806 7131
Meals From The Heart
Meals from the Heart is a team building program providing families staying at Ronald McDonald House Westmead with a home cooked meal three nights a week. Families can find comfort in coming home to a healthy home-cooked meal, hearing laughter in the kitchen and enjoying a meal served by warm and friendly faces. The program caters for volunteer groups of 6-20 people, aged 18 years or over. A designated chef and Ronald McDonald House Westmead Volunteer host each group, providing guidance and assistance throughout the kitchen and House as needed. As a group, you will prepare food for approximately 200 people.
To book a Meals from the Heart experience for your group today, go here or contact us on 02 9806 7111.
Working Bee
Our Working Bee program is a group volunteering program offering corporate and community groups of up to 10 people the opportunity to give a helping hand at the House. Working Bee days are available to groups one morning a week, from 9.00am – 1.00pm. The program caters for groups of up to 10 people, with all participants required to be aged 18 years or over. To book a Working Bee experience for your group today, go here or contact us on 02 9806 7111.
Baking A Difference
Baking a Difference is a group volunteering program run one morning per week for corporate groups of up to 10 people, providing families staying at RMH Westmead with comforting, freshly-baked snacks or treats. To book a Baking a Difference experience for your group today, go here or contact us on 02 9806 7111.
Become a Corporate Partner
We provide comfort and care to thousands of families Australia-wide, largely thanks to the generosity of like-minded businesses and individuals who provide significant financial, in-kind and volunteering support year-on-year.
We create mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations who are committed to our mission of supporting the ever-changing needs of seriously ill children and their families. There are many ways to partner with us that will work for your business.
Contact our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Matthew Mifsud today at matthew.mifsud@rmhc.org.au or on 02 9806 7131
Workplace Giving
You can help families with seriously ill children while you work by joining the Ronald McDonald House Workplace Giving Program.
Workplace Giving Donations are deducted from payroll, before tax. This way, you receive an instant tax refund without having to wait until making your annual tax return claim.
Why not reach out to your colleagues to participate as a team in helping keep the families of seriously ill children together? If your company agrees to match staff donations, then there’s an amazing double benefit for these families.
The amount you wish to give – either as a one-off donation or a recurring contribution - is up to you. Contact our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Matthew Mifsud today at matthew.mifsud@rmhc.org.au or on 02 9806 7131.