At myAutonomy, we enjoy highlighting programs we admire. Some programs help those who experience disability access supports they might not have otherwise.

One such program is the Mackillop Family Services Volunteer Program. The free program helps those who are eligible, whether they have an NDIS plan or not.

The Family Services Volunteer Program is designed to strengthen a family’s capacity to support their child or to provide short-term support whilst they’re awaiting other services to commence

We spoke to the team to discover more about how they help participants.

What is the Mackillop Family Services Volunteer Program?

MacKillop’s Family Volunteer Program provides tailored individual, short-term support to Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) eligible children or parents with a disability and their families.

The Family Volunteer Program helps:

• support people to improve or maintain their independence


• support people to live safely at home


• support people to participate in community activities


• strengthen carers’ capacity to provide care


• provide companionship and social connection


• develop affirming relationships with family members to increase their self-esteem and self-confidence


• provide respite for parents, child minding, engaging children in activities in the home or community


• assist with household tasks such as meal prepping/cooking/home organisation

Who’s eligible for the program?

Families are eligible if there is someone in the home under the age of 65 who has a disability.

Eligible clients may include:

• families/children awaiting NDIS


• families/children not eligible for NDIS


• families/children needing assistance while awaiting a service to commence

Note: the family must be located in Melbourne’s Western suburbs.

What does the program include?

Volunteers can provide support once a week for one hour minimum, or once a fortnight for two hours minimum. They can visit families any day of the week including weekends.

Our volunteers can provide support to anyone in the home, parents, carers, young people, or children. The support does not have to be directly with the person who experiences disability.

Volunteers can support the family for 6 – 12 months.

How much does the program cost?

There’s no cost to access the Family Volunteer Program and families are not required to have an NDIS plan to receive support from a volunteer.

How can a family get in touch?

If you have a client in need of some support, whether that be emotional or practical support, please get in touch with Brittany via email.