Volunteer Citizen Advocacy Partnership Stories

About us: Susan grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and attended special education schools. Due to experiencing domestic violence at home, Susan moved to Mitcham with her dad. After finishing school Susan began supported employment work in Blackburn, then Nunawading and Doncaster, began a relationship and had a child, who is now a teenager. Susan developed a self-advocacy group – Positive Powerful Parents to help other parents in similar situations. In 2020 Sue was nominated for the Human Rights Aspire Award and was the winner of the inaugural award from Colleen Pearce Victorian Public award.

Vickie lives in Montmorency, has four children and eight grandchildren. Vickie’s career was originally as a scientist, until at age 55, she began a Social Work Degree and continued working and volunteering in this field, including two years working in Child Protection & four years in the Family Violence sector.

How we met: In 2004 Vickie was doing her Uni placement at MEDA when she first met Susan who was then receiving advocacy support regarding an accommodation issue. A few years later, before the birth of her child, Susan connected again with MEDA seeking support with Child Protection issues. At the time Vickie was volunteering at MEDA, reconnected with Susan and they began their Citizen Advocacy partnership. 17 years later their strong partnership continues.

Some highlights of our partnership: Susan describes Vickie as not only a trusted support but also a close friend who has become part of her family. Vickie has stood alongside Susan through many significant life events, including being present at the birth of Susan’s child.

Vickie reflects on supporting Susan through Child Protection matters, exploring genetic counselling to help Susan make informed decisions about her disability, and feeling welcomed as part of Susan’s family. She also values attending important milestones and special events in Susan’s life and witnessing Susan grow into a confident and effective self-advocate.

What Vickie says about being a Volunteer Citizen Advocate: “It’s a very varied role, so many different facets – thinking about the person and their situation. A great volunteer role!”

What Susan says about having a Volunteer Citizen Advocate: “It’s great to have someone to work through different life stages with – both challenges and celebrations.”

About us:  Sharyn was born in 1958 and has lived in the Box Hill area for a very long time.  Sharyn enjoys cooking, knitting, making jewellery and going shopping.

Ali was previously a paralegal and now works as a Mental Health Advocate.  Ali has two children and lives with her partner in Croydon.

How we met:  Sharyn had a connection with MEDA, having previously received short-term individual advocacy support around a specific issue.  Sharyn and Ali met in 2016 during a time when Sharyn was going through some significant life changes.  Ali had commenced University, studying Social Work and was interested in exploring some volunteer work when she learnt about MEDA’s Volunteer Citizen Advocacy program, which aligned closely with Ali’s interest in human rights.….and the rest is history 😊

Some highlights of our partnership: Sharyn explains that prior to moving out of the home she shared with her husband, he made most decisions on her behalf. Since then, Sharyn has become actively involved in all aspects of decision-making, with support from Ali when needed, and now enjoys significantly greater choice and control in her life.

Ali supported Sharyn through the transition from living with her husband to moving into a new home with other people. This included assisting Sharyn to connect with NDIS supports and building a strong, collaborative support team around her, ensuring Sharyn’s preferences are respected, her voice is heard, and she receives the support she wants and needs.

What Ali says about being a Volunteer Citizen Advocate:  “It’s an opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes, to give parts of yourself to help others. I have developed so many more human skills, putting your own perspective aside – it’s hugely rewarding.  It’s a lifelong friendship, supporting someone to have the same privileges that everyone else has.  I’ve loved seeing Sharyn’s personality blossom.”

What Sharyn says about having a Volunteer Citizen Advocate:  “Ali listens to me, follows my wishes and supports me to make decisions and say what I want.  We laugh and have fun, I love having Ali in my life.”

About us:  Aidan was born in 1969 and has three sisters. Aidan moved from his family home into Kew Cottages at the age of 12. In 2005 Aidan moved to Clayton and still lives there with two other people. Aidan enjoys dancing, music (Gold FM), watching TV and going out for coffee and toasted banana bread with Alan.

Alan and his wife live in Wheelers Hill and have two sons and one grandson. Alan retired in 2013 at age 71 from a career working for the railways, and later his own business focusing on rail safety.

How we met:  An Office of the Public Regulator Community Visitor attended the residence and reported finding Aidan badly injured from suspected staff abuse during one of their visits. The Office of the Public Regulator contacted MEDA to request advocacy support for Aidan.

Alan had a health issue resulting in a change of lifestyle – his specialist suggested advocacy volunteer work. Alan did some research and connected with MEDA. Alan and Aidan were matched and began their partnership in 2011.

Some highlights of our partnership: Aidan’s accommodation provider wanted Aidan to move to another of their houses 20km’s away – disconnecting Aidan from his known community and routines and Alan strongly advocated for Aidan to stay in his home in Clayton. Recently the accommodation provider moved to change the overnight care (Active Nights) to the Carer sleeping on site (Sleep Over). Alan advocated and worked with the staff and Allied Health Providers to transition Aidan’s house to ‘Sleep Over’ with no impact on Aidan’s care and additional safety aids for Aidan.

What Alan says about being a Volunteer Citizen Advocate:  “Being Aidan’s Citizen Advocate gives me a terrific amount of self-satisfaction” – seeing the benefits he has achieved for Aidan. Alan says MEDA would benefit from greater diversity in our cultural mix of Volunteer Citizen Advocates to better serve the disability sector.

What Aidan shares about having a Volunteer Citizen Advocate:  Aidan’s gestures and actions indicate that he is very happy that he continues to live in his home in Clayton, with Alan looking out for him and getting together regularly for coffee catchups.