INCREASING POSSIBILITIES
PERSONAL HELPERS AND MENTORS SERVICE (PHaMs)
The Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program supports people whose lives are significantly affected by a mental health issue to build personal capacity and independence.
Participants of the PHaMs Service can have support to:
- Cope better with everyday tasks like getting to places on public transport, housekeeping and budgeting.
- Improve or develop personal skills, decision-making skills and confidence.
- Improve or maintain relationships with family and friends.
- Become involved in social or community activities or groups.
- Access community services like health, housing or family support.
- Set and achieve goals to improve their lives.
The PHaMs service focuses on recovery and strengths. People with mental health issues can recover and lead satisfying and rewarding lives. Participants of the PHaMs service work with their own personal helper and mentor who supports them on their personal recovery journey.
To be eligible a person needs to:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Have safe and non-aggressive behavior while taking part in the program.
- Live in Tamworth, Gunnedah, Walcha, Liverpool Plains or the surrounding areas.
- Be able to fully take part in the program - eg not in gaol or living in a treatment facility.
- Agree to work on any drug or alcohol issues while taking part in the program.
- Not be able to get the same support they would like from another government funded service.
- Be able to freely make the decision to be a participant.
- Have a mental health issue that has significant impact on ability to function.
There is no need for a formal medical diagnosis. Instead we use an Eligibility Screening Tool. Referral is easy. For example, a person can refer themselves, be referred by a friend, family member, doctor or organisation.
Where a PHaMs service provider is not able to provide support to a person, we will identify and provide the person with information on any other relevant services within the community that may be able to support them.
Personal helpers and mentors understand mental health issues and have a range of qualifications, skills, backgrounds and experiences.
They are committed to:
- Valuing each participant as an unique person.
- Understanding and treating each participant with respect and dignity.
- Taking the time to get to know each participant to understand their individual needs.
- Talking to each participant about their preferences and choices.
- Helping each participant to work out what they would like to achieve.
- Using their knowledge of local services and opportunities to support each participant in achieving their goals.
- Working with each participant to help build their personal capacity and independence.
Under our agreement with the Australian Government there are some things we can do and some things we cannot do. Some examples are:
What we can do
- Help access suitable services.
- Help get goods and services needed by helping with budgeting and linking with other services.
- Show participants how to do things, give them reminders and help them find help to do tasks they cannot do.
What we cannot do
- Give specialist clinical medical services.
- Buy or provide goods and services, including transport.
- Provide personal care and home help.
- Be a crisis service.
We will work with you to help you do things. In the long term it is in your best interest that we not take over and do things for you.
What is PHaMs?
Eligibility for PHaMs
What if I am not eligible for PHaMs?
About Personal Helpers and Mentors
What PHaMs can and cannot do
Copyright 2016 PVTE - All Rights Reserved.
Tamworth Phone No: (02) 6762 1242