Transcript
VOICE OVER: Run by volunteers, the Emmanuel Centre, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, is a network of organisations, support groups and self-help resources for people with disabilities.
VOICE OVER: A number of community groups are involved in the day to day running of the Emmanuel Centre, providing essential information, activities and support for those living with disabilities.
VOICE OVER: We encourage everyone to rise up and meet those challenges that can otherwise seem too difficult.
SHIRLEY: I thought I'd only be here a couple of years, but I've been here ten years now.
SHIRLEY: Because I enjoy it so much.
SHIRLEY: I find that the people I work with, although they are disabled, are so positive and happy.
SHIRLEY: I really get back more than I put in. I would urge anybody, who's got a little spare time, or some problem getting through each day, for whatever reason
SHIRLEY: to come here, spend a few hours, even once a week, and they find that they feel so much better.
SHIRLEY: You go away feeling that you've done something worthwhile.
VOICE OVER: The Emmanuel Centre is often described as the place to contact if you have tried everywhere else.
VOICE OVER: We offer counselling, advocacy, library services, resources, work experience and training – but most importantly, we give hope to those who need it most.
MARY: My name is Mary Ballentine and I first came to Emmanuel in 1982, when my daughter Joanna was having a great deal of difficulty getting into a Catholic school because she had a learning disability.
MARY: Emmanuel were an enormous support to me in getting my daughter into our local Catholic primary school.
MARY: She's now a young adult, graduated from school, lives independently, works full-time for the Department of Transport and has done really well.
MARY: So I'm eternally grateful to Emmanuel for the start they gave my little girl. And during the process of trying to get her into school, with Barbara's assistance we formed a group called Catholic Association for Special Education Support.
MARY: I chair that group and we provide support, as a group of parents, to help other parents going through the same experience of having difficulty in getting their children into schools, and we advocate on their behalf.
MARY: Hopefully they get the fantastic outcome that my family got from their association from this wonderful organisation called Emmanuel.
VOICE OVER: We believe that there is no such word as ‘can’t’ – there are only things we haven’t yet learned how to do. Volunteers who are willing to be challenged are always welcome.
VOICE OVER: What is often seen as an insignificant skill can mean everything to the running of Emmanuel. In fact, at the Emmanuel Centre, many people discover skills they never knew they had.
ANN: My name is Ann and I've been here at the Emmanuel Centre since I retired some years ago.
ANN: When I came to the Emmanuel Centre, it was such a close community. The smile the children had for you everytime you came in was just wonderful - you just wanted to come back again. I still want to come back again!
ANN: So it is like having another family.
GEOFF: At work I hurt my back and my life changed around when I came to Emmanuel Centre.
GEOFF: At Emmanuel Centre we learn how to get through barriers.
GEOFF: At Emmanuel Centre there are people who have been hurt, injured, abused, drug problems, depression.
GEOFF: Emmanuel Centre helps people to help themselves to improve communication, learn how to read and write, move on from the past and to put positives into their lives.
VOICE OVER: So don’t be shy, we can use you in any number of groups or individual programmes, either at the centre itself or in groups and programs in the wider community.
VOICE OVER: If you’d like more information, or just need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to contact the Emmanuel Centre today.