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Community

Special Needs Toy Library, Parent Support Groups and Integrated Family Services

Community

Parent Support Groups

The Strengthening Parent Supports Playgroup offers support, information and assistance to parents and carers of infants, children and young people 0-18 years with a disability or developmental delay through: 

• Parent Support Groups and Activities
• Workshops and information forums

• Group work
• Individual parent support 

 

Parent Support Groups offer parents social and emotional support, an opportunity to share information, ideas and time out.

 

If you are a parent of child or younger person who has a disability or developmental delay (0-18 years) you may like to join a support group. Parent Support Groups are held in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton.

 

To find out more click here


Community

Family Services

Family Services Programs are designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people by working in partnership with families to enhance their ability to support their children and maximise life opportunities.

 

Our Family Services Practitioners play a vital role by ensuring that children, young people, and their families are effectively connected to the appropriate services and supports.

 

We provide casework and in-home support to families facing challenges. Through tailored support, we help strengthen parenting confidence and capacity—fostering healthier family relationships and creating better opportunities and outcomes for children.

 

Our approach is family-led and child-centred, ensuring that the voices of parents, carers, young people, and children are heard and actively shape the supports they receive. By working together, we empower families to enhance their wellbeing and create lasting, positive change.

 

Family Services Programs

Integrated Family Services (IFS)

Family Services Specialist Disability Practitioner (FSSDP)

Parenting Children with Complex Disability Needs (PCCDN)

Family Preservation and Reunification Response Program (FPRRP) (in partnership with Meli)

 

At Mpower, we believe every family is unique — and so are their needs.

Our skilled practitioners deliver personalised, culturally respectful support tailored to each family's values and background. We don’t just provide a service — we empower families to take charge of their journey, build resilience, and thrive on their own terms. With Mpower, you're not just getting help — you're gaining a partner in creating lasting, meaningful change.

 

Integrated Family Service

Integrated Family Service (IFS) program assists children, young people and their families to promote change, working in partnership with families. Family Service practitioners will provide in home support working with family members to improve outcomes, safety and development of children, young people and their families by enhancing parenting capacity and skills, supporting the parent-child relationship and connections to community.

Family Services Practitioners will work alongside families toward identified family goals that will support them to thrive.

Who can access this service?

Families with children and young people from pre-birth up to and including 17 years of age. Mpower Family Services Program provides outreach service to families in the Southwest region who reside in the local government areas of Warrnambool; Moyne; Southern Grampians and Glenelg.

The program is a voluntary and free for families.

How to access?

Referral to the Integrated Family Service Program is via The Orange Door 1800 271 180

or visit them at 571 Raglan Parade Warrnambool. Families can self-refer or be referred by community groups, family, friends or agencies.

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.

Please note there is a number of Family Services agencies in our area.  If you would like Mpower to provide this support to you it is important to communicate this to the Orange Door.

Family Services Specialist Disability program (FSSDP)

The Family Services Specialist Disability program (FSSDP) aims to address the challenges many vulnerable families experience with accessing disability support needs, particularly those available through the NDIS. The program assists families to navigate systems of disability support, including the NDIS, disability advocates, disability service providers and mainstream services.

The program is open to families with a child or parent/carer with a disability residing in the South West Region who reside in the local government areas of Warrnambool; Moyne; Southern Grampians and Glenelg. A NDIS plan is not required to access this service.

Who can access this service?

Families with children and young people from pre-birth up to and including 17 years of age with a disability. Mpower Family Services Specialist Disability Program provides outreach service to families in the Southwest region who reside in the local government areas of Warrnambool; Moyne; Southern Grampians or Glenelg Shire.

The program is voluntary and free for families.

How to access?

Referral to the Family Service Specialist Disability Program is via The Orange Door 1800 271 180

or visit them at 571 Raglan Parade Warrnambool. Families can self-refer or be referred by community groups, family, friends or agencies.

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.

 

Parenting Children with Complex Disability Program (PCCDP)

Caring for a child with complex disabilities puts families under additional stress. Mpower’s Parenting Children with Complex Disability Program (PCCDP) is a child-focused and family centred service which helps families to stay together. This includes advocating for families that have one or more children with complex disability needs to receive the required support from NDIS. Its primary aim is to provide crucial assistance to children and parents with disabilities, enabling them to access essential disability supports and effectively participate in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The program works in collaboration with the NDIA to ensure necessary supports are in place. This enables families to continue care in the family home and in exceptional circumstances, in accommodation outside the home.

Who can access this Service?

The program is aimed at children and young people under 18 with complex disability support needs and their parents or carers who reside in the South West Region who reside in the local government areas of Warrnambool; Moyne; Southern Grampians or Glenelg Shire and:

Have a formal disability diagnosis and are eligible to access the NDIS

  • Do not currently have access to the NDIS
  • Have access to the NDIS but need help utilising their plan
  • Are at risk of, or have already disengaged from education
  • Have behaviours of concern directly related to the disability or disability support needs
  • Are experiencing poor physical or mental health as a result of their disability or disability support needs
  • Are experiencing poor physical or mental health as carers as a result of the child’s disability or disability support needs
  • Are at risk of, or are already experiencing family and/or relationship breakdown as a result of the disability or disability support needs
  • Have one or more parents or carers who have a disability
  • Are experiencing financial stress as a result of the disability or disability support needs

How to access

The program is available free to families.

Referrals should be directed to Mpower Coordinator Family Services 55618111 – all referrals must be endorsed by West Disability Practice Advice (DHHS) westdisability@dhhs.vic.gov.au

Family Preservation and Reunification Response Program (FPRR).

Mpower are in Partnership in the delivery of the Family Preservation and Reunification Response Program (FPRR). The program aims to support and empower you and your family towards long lasting change.

This is achieved with an initial phase of rapid, intensive, and flexible support delivered by the practitioner by completing in home visits for approximately one hour at a time, three times per week (approximately 200 hours).

This intensive response is then followed by a stepping out process where the practitioner supports you and your family to transition to other services or community supports of a less intensive nature (approx. 40 hours).

Who can access?

Families with children and young people from pre-birth up to and including 17 years of age. To be eligible, the child/ren must be a current Child Protection client and one of the children in the family must meet the specified eligibility requirements.

How to access

The program is available free to families.

Connection to the Family Preservation and Reunification (Response) program occurs through the Child Protection Navigator.

Enquiries can be directed to the South West Area DFFH Child Protection Navigator.

 

For more information on any of the Family Services Programs at Mpower please contact the Coordinator Family Services.

Pattrina Markey

0439249264

pmarkey@mpower.org.au

 

 

 

 


Community

Elder Abuse Prevention

Everybody’s Business

Mpower Elder Abuse Prevention Network

 

Did you know that in Australia 1 in 6 (15% or 598,000) people  experienced elder abuse in the past year. This number is likely to increase over time with Australia’s ageing population. While 17% of people in Australia were aged 65 and over in 2021, projections indicate that this group will make up around 21% of the population by 2066 (ABS 2018; 2021).

People in Australia are at increased risk of abuse in their later years. This abuse can take many forms, including psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Elder abuse that occurs in families differs from other types of family and domestic violence because it often involves abuse of parents by adult children. Abuse can also occur outside of the family, such as in aged care facilities and health care services . Elder abuse can cause a range of physical, psychological, financial and social harms to older people.

 

Valuable resources:

https://providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/elder-abuse

https://www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/elder-abuse-prevention-services/

https://seniorsrights.org.au/elder-abuse/

 

If you or someone you know are experiencing elder abuse Call the police on 000

Call Seniors Rights Victoria to find out about how you can offer support on the confidential hotline 1300 368 821

 

Prevention

 

Mpower leads the South West Elder Abuse Prevention Network because we know that it is Everybody’s Business to prevent Elder abuse and that together we can make a difference.

 

We will do this by:

  1. To increase awareness about elder abuse and its drivers.

  Current Actions

  • Awareness raising events with community members to participate in crafting purple hands and having conversations around elder abuse.
  • Participating in local roadshows and exhibitions to promote elder abuse awareness and activities.

 

  1. To increase knowledge about elder abuse and its drivers.

Current Actions

  • We are building relationships with key stakeholders to develop a local framework to drive action. To view the framework click here
  • We will work with others to Participate in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day each year

 

  1. To improve beliefs, attitudes and behavioural intention about ageing, gender equality and older people.

Current Actions

  • Delivering a Framing Age Masterclass workshop and a follow up activities to enhance awareness of ageist language.
  • We have produced 3 short films to highlight the value of older pole in our community and to spark community conversations.

 

Shirley talks about ageism:

An old person holding a flower

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"Growing older never worried me; it was just part of life. I love the freedom of setting my own pace and not being tied to deadlines. For me, staying active is key—it's not about age, but fitness. I see people who limit themselves because they think they're too old, but often it's just about keeping up with that daily walk.

Life feels clearer now, like a pattern we all go through. I stay engaged in my community, taking leadership roles and staying connected with the environment. Even though age discrimination happens—I’ve faced it myself—it only strengthens my resolve to keep contributing.

I also reflect on aged care; visiting people in these facilities twice a week is eye-opening. It’s disheartening to see a lack of activities and support for those who can’t move around. Society often misses the value of older people, unlike cultures that hold their elders in high regard.

We live in a world that’s rapidly changed—horses to electric scooters, no internet to Googling everything. I still prefer a world without Facebook! But whether it’s the changes in technology or facing the reality of death, it’s all just part of the journey. And as long as I’m on that journey, I’m here to stay active, engaged, and true to myself."  Watch here.

 

Janet’s Story

A person standing in a kitchen

Description automatically generated

Janet, 71, shares her refreshing perspective on aging in Warrnambool, refusing to see herself—or those around her—as 'old.' She challenges the stereotypes of aging, emphasising the importance of staying mentally flexible, valuing life experiences, and rejecting the idea of being 'warehoused' in elderly care. Janet embraces her role as an elder, finding joy in learning, books, and self-expression. She believes life can still be full of surprises and happiness, even in later years. Her story is a powerful reminder that aging is more about mindset than years. Watch here.

 

Jill’s Story

A person sitting at a table with another person

Description automatically generated

In this candid interview, Jill shares her thoughts and feelings about approaching 60. She reflects on the challenges and societal expectations she faced after turning 50, including ageism in the job market and the stigma around aging in a small town. Jill talks about the struggle to find meaningful work despite her extensive experience and the doubts that come with being overlooked in favor of younger candidates. She highlights the positives of aging, like finding joy in nature and feeling more at peace with herself, while also expressing concerns about the future of aged care and society’s obsession with youth. Jill's story is one of resilience, embracing her generation's spirit, and challenging stereotypes about getting older. Watch here.


Community

Spirited, Wise and Wonderful Photographic Exhibition

The Mpower Spirited, Wise and Wonderful Photographic Exhibition acknowledges and celebrates the achievements, contribution and spirit of older adults of the South West region in order to challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions of ageing.

All photographs must include an older adult living in the South West Region.

For the purposes of this promotion the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) definition of an older adult being aged 65 years and over is used.

Portraits can be entered however please note this is not a portrait prize, photographs should be a current photo of an older adult capturing their meaningful life.

Categories include:

  • Junior photographer  9 – 15 years old.
  • Adult photographer 16 years and older.

A selection of entries will be exhibited throughout June to recognise World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15th June.

 

AWARDS

Photographers of entries selected for exhibition and their subject (the older adult) will be awarded a $50 gift voucher.

A People’s Choice Award winner in each category will receive an additional $200 voucher at the close of the exhibition.

 

PLACES AND DATES

Exhibitions and launches will be held in Warrnambool, Portland and Southern Grampians.

Entries close at 5pm on Tuesday 13th May.

Successful entrants will be notified by Monday 19th May.

Exhibition held from 13th June.

Venue : TBC

 

Please read our Conditions of Entry, to submit your online entry please use the following Entry Form.

If you have any questions please contact Tracy McKendry on 5561 8111 or email tmckendry@mpower.org.au.

Good luck!


Conditions of Entry

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