Family with a sick child supported by Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Services and Support

We help families stay at the heart of their child’s healthcare, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Essential services that wrap families with care

When a child is ill or injured, it affects the entire family. Everyday life is disrupted, especially when the best medical treatment for a child is far from home.

Ronald McDonald House Programs remove barriers and provide practical, emotional, and financial support for families throughout their child’s healthcare, all close to the hospital, for as long as they need it.

More than a place to stay, Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Programs surround families with a community of care and the resources they need—a place to sleep, rest and play, keep working and learning, do laundry, share home-cooked meals, connect with other families, feel the comfort of our staff and volunteers—to help make their journey a little easier.

Family holding up a sign that says "109 nights" to indicate the # of nights of support by Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Accommodation

With 60 rooms, Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead operates 365 days a year,  allowing families to stay together, close to the hospital.

Family supported by Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney through the Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Family Room

Family Room

Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Family Room, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is a calm space away from the medical environment, where family stays close while taking a breather.

Child receiving complimentary items from the Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Hospitality Cart at Campbelltown Hospital

Hospitality Carts

Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Hospitality Carts in Westmead, Campbelltown, and Nepean provide bedside comfort that make big days easier.

Family with a sick baby at Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead

Day Pass Program

Patients of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and their families can access our Westmead House common area facilities, programs, and support daily, including meals and spaces for rest and play.

Two employees from ProYou Business Advisory preparing Meals from the Heart at Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead

Nutritious Meals

Group volunteering programs such as Meals from the Heart help ensure we can provide at least one nutritious meal every day, reducing families’ financial and mental burden around mealtimes.

A child receiving one-on-one tuition from a Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Learning Program tutor

Learning Program

The Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Learning Program helps children reconnect to learning and a sense of normal life, building confidence and making the return to school easier.

Child holding up a picture of a dog she coloured in, while standing next to Nancy the Retired Guide Dog as part of Learning Centre activities at Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead

Education Services

Our in-house Learning Centre is one of the happiest places in the House, with daily programs designed to keep patients and their siblings engaged in learning through play while interacting with peers.

A toddler kissing the top of her sick older brother's head in their room at Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead

Counselling

In partnership with CatholicCare Social Services, counselling is available for parents and caregivers to help with mental well-being, so they are better able to cope with the trauma of childhood illness.

Movie night at Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Making Memories

Family activities like movie nights, painting workshops, and carnivals alleviate stress and provide opportunities for happy memories and social connection.

Child smiling at a fruit and vegetables delivery for their family, part of the Families on the Move program by Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Families on the Move

For longer-term families who leave our Westmead House, we deliver fresh produce to their homes to help with the period of adjustment of being back home.

Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Dance to make a difference during National Families Week to support sick kids and their families.