Support Groups

VANISH support groups are for adults over 18 to meet and share with others who have had similar experiences. These friendly and informal meetings are facilitated or co-facilitated by individuals with a lived experience and offer a non-judgemental environment where you can speak about what is on your mind and how you are feeling—or you can just come and listen.

Groups are and conducted in line with the VANISH code of conduct and based upon principles of privacy, anonymity, and respect for one another.

If you would like more information about our groups please read our Support Group FAQs here or contact us.

Dates and Times

For Melbourne Support Group dates click here

For Regional Victoria Support Groups dates in Albury-Wodonga click here, and in Ballarat click here

Mixed Support Groups 

(Adopted Persons, Mothers, Fathers and Adoptive Parents)

The mixed support groups are an opportunity to meet and share with people affected by adoption in different ways.  Each experience is individual but when added to the mix it can help to inform, enlighten and resolve. 

"At my first group I didn’t know what to expect but with each group I got to learn more about how we all feel the loss of separation and also how people manage their grief – all in so many different ways.  It gave me hope, at times inspiration, and but most importantly courage to continue with my reunion.”  (Anon Mother)

Adult Adoptees Only Support Group

The adoptee only groups are an opportunity for adopted individuals to share their experiences and feelings and to gain empathy and understanding from one another.

“Finally got to my first meeting last night and I loved it - I think it was one of the first times in my life I felt no need to edit myself and that I was in a room where every person was just like me, though different” (Annette – adoptee)

Donor Conceived Group

Our partner organisation Donor Conceived Australia (DCA) offers online and face to face meetings for donor conceived adults to talk, share, think, listen, support and empower each other. For more information follow the link above or complete the contact form on their website.