New to Personal Advocacy Service?
Want to know about our programs?
See info on SPRED and Social Programs, Parish Community, Community Volunteers, and more.
Have specific questions?
Click on the link below to view Frequently Asked Questions about our SPRED and Social Programs and Volunteering.
Want to join or refer someone?
SPRED Program FAQs
If there is no group in your area at the time and PAS has 6 people with intellectual disabilities registered in an area of close proximity, we will look at starting a new group somewhere in the area. This process could take some time. If there is already a SPRED Program group functioning in your area and a vacancy arises, you and others on the waiting list will be contacted to ascertain your availability and desire to join. We may also need to find a community volunteer to be your advocate and this takes time. As such, it could be some time before you are able to start in a group. These are the opportunities available for our current groups – view here.
Someone needs to ring us on (08) 9275 5388 or contact us and share required details. You then go on a waiting list.
You and your community volunteer (known as your advocate) will be invited to choose from a selection of art/ craft materials to work on together. Opportunities to participate in everyday life activities will be offered. With assistance, if needed, you will share your stories and you will listen to others sharing stories of their lives. There will be music and song and, then together with other group members, you will set the table and enjoy supper with your new friends in the group.
Your group follows a set program so you are able to attend only once a fortnight. The volunteers meet every week. You may have the opportunity to meet up with your community volunteer more often as your bond develops over time.
The group will always meet on the same day/night of the week. If you are joining an existing group then the day/night is set. If you are joining a new group, the day/night to meet will be decided by what day/night everyone has free and what day/night the meeting space is available.
You can stay in the program in the same group year after year for as long as you want to, as long as you have a community volunteer.
The session lasts for 2 hours but your community volunteer/advocate will have to allow extra time to pick you up and drop you home.
Yes, the program has been specifically developed for people with intellectual disabilities. There are many who may also have physical disabilities as well.
Your community volunteer will pick you up at your home and take you to the group, be alongside to support you in the group and then take you back home.
Your group will meet in a specially prepared place within your local community. View all of the groups and their locations here.
You will meet in the same group every fortnight on the same day/night during a school term.
There is no cost. Our SPRED program can be funded as part of your NDIS plan. Personal Advocacy Service also receives funding from Department of Social Services and the Archdiocese of Perth to offset the cost of our participants not supported by NDIS funding.
There are 14 people in total: 6 people with intellectual disabilities, 6 community volunteers and 2 community volunteer leaders.
Yes, the community volunteer you will be linked with will become your friend. You will slowly get to know the other members of the group and their families and friends too. Learning how to be a friend takes time and the other group members will support you too.
Yes, you will be linked with a volunteer from the community and, over time, this person will get to know you. Each person with intellectual disability will have his/her own volunteer.
No you don’t have to be Catholic. This program is open to all people who are comfortable developing friendships in a Christian environment.
Currently, the Personal Advocacy program supports adult people who are of post-school age.
Community Volunteering FAQs
If there is already a group in your area functioning and a vacancy for a volunteer arises, you may be able to slot in within a month.
It takes at least a few months to get to know and become comfortable with a person with an intellectual disability, so at least a year’s commitment to the Program is a minimum. But we know once you’re matched you will enjoy it!
Yes, a NDIS Worker Screening is required, however this will be organised by Personal Advocacy at no cost to you.
Feel free to contact our office or by phone on (08) 9275 5388 and speak to a Regional Coordinator, who will explain to you the process for becoming a volunteer advocate.
You and your “friend” will be invited to choose from a selection of art/craft materials to work on together. Opportunities to participate in everyday life activities will be offered. With assistance, if needed, you will share your stories and you will listen to others sharing their stories. You will listen and sing to some reflective music and together you will set the table and enjoy supper with all of your new friends in the group.
Ideally you will need to drive to the group, especially on the days that your friend will attend.
Your group will meet in a specially prepared place within your local community. Consideration is given to where you live and the distance it is for you to travel.
You will meet in the same group every week on the same day/night during a school term. You will be expected to pick up your friend from their place of residence and accompany your “friend” to the session every alternate week during the term.
There are 14 people in total. 6 people with intellectual disabilities, 6 community volunteers and 2 volunteer leaders/facilitators.
The Personal Advocacy Program’s success is based on the support of one-to-one relationships within a small group environment. Participation in the Group is essential. However as your friendship grows you will be free to venture out beyond the group environment to explore opportunities on your own.
Staff at Personal Advocacy will link you with a “friend” with an intellectual disability. They will try to consider many of your gifts and talents when matching you with a friend. If it does become clear that you might not be compatible, every effort will be made to link you with someone else.
You need to be comfortable around a person with an intellectual disability. The Personal Advocacy Program is ideally suited to allow you to get to know the person with an intellectual disability (who will be known as a “friend”). Induction and training will be provided.
No you don’t have to be Catholic. This program is open to all people who are comfortable experiencing relationships in a Christian environment. However, if you choose to take on a leadership role, you must be Catholic.
Ideally all volunteers must be 21 years or over.
A Volunteers expressing an interest in participating in the program are usually from the local community / parish or find out about the program through existing volunteers. All volunteers are required to go through a screening process which includes a police check, a personal interview and a referee check as well as induction and training.
Social Programs FAQs
Each class allows for 4–10 participants to keep the sessions comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
Yes, each participant should come with a carer to the sessions.
These classes are free of charge. If you’d like to reserve a spot for your loved one or someone who you are caring for, please get in touch with us.
No, both Arts and Crafts and Dance classes are free of charge. Personal Advocacy receives funding the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth to offset the cost of the Social Programs for our participants.
Darryl Davenport (or a staff member) from Ballroom Fit leads the class. Darryl (and all Ballroom Fit staff member) is experienced in supporting people of all abilities.
The Thursday dance class includes seated dance, music games, and fun extras like drums and limbo, to help people connect and enjoy moving to music.
A trained support worker runs the class and partners with Geoff, an artist from Emmanuel Centre, who communicates using AUSLAN.
They can enjoy painting, drawing, music, and singing. Activities include coloring, puzzles, and a special group reflection time, followed by morning tea together.
We have two main activities at our Morley Centre:
PAS Social Programs are fun activities where people can join in, be creative, make friends, and feel part of a community.
Thank you
for submitting a contact form to Personal Advocacy Service.
One of our team members will get in touch with you soon to provide more information or for further discussion. If your query is urgent, we encourage you to phone us on 08 9275 5388 , Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
