Join Us for a Self-Advocacy Day with UP! Club X Me Plus More!

UP! Club welcomes adults with Down syndrome (18+ years) from the Blue Mountains region, to join the UP! Club Spring Retreat participants, on an afternoon and evening of building your confidence, learning new skills, and having fun with friends!

This event has been made possible through the support of the Department of Social Services Information Linkages and Capacity Building Program.

Date: Saturday 29 November 2025

Time: 3pm- 9:30pm (not including travel time)

Location:
Address: Sinofield Edu Retreat, 77 Scott Ave, Leura NSW 2780

Cost - FREE EVENT

Registration Essential

Spaces are limited to 10—register now to secure your spot!

Registrations close 13 November at 11:55pm.

What's included:

Transport to and from the venue (Blue Mountains Region)
Meals and drinks (afternoon tea and dinner)
2 hour Speak for Yourself-advocacy workshop with Tara Shekede, Me Plus More (including workbooks to take home!)
NDIS social support (approx. 1:7 staff to participant ratio) - If you would like to bring a support worker/carer, you can register them to attend).

Spring Into Your Confidence Event Itinerary

2:00pm-2:45pm: Travel to Sinofield Edu Retreat

3:00pm - 4:00pm: Spring Your Confidence Workshop with Me Plus More (Part 1)

4:00pm - 4:15pm: Afternoon Tea

4:15pm -5:00pm: Spring Your Confidence Workshop with Me Plus More (Part 2)

5:00pm-6:00pm: Get Ready for the Disco!

6:00pm-7:00pm: Dinner

7:00pm-9:30pm: Dance Party Time!!

9:30pm: Pick up from Sinofield Edu Retreat

9:30pm-onwards: Travel home together

Speaking Up for Yourself - A Self-Advocacy Workshop

Workshop Overview:
This interactive workshop is designed to empower attendees to build confidence, understand their rights, and learn how to speak up for themselves in everyday situations. Through engaging discussions, real-life examples, and hands-on activities, attendees will explore what self-advocacy means, why it matters, and how to communicate their needs and choices clearly and respectfully.

Attendees will learn to:

Understand what self-advocacy is and why it’s important
Recognise their rights and responsibilities
Build confidence in making choices and decisions
Communicate assertively in different situations
Identify supports and strategies that help them speak up

This workshop creates a safe, supportive space where everyone is encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and celebrate their voice.

About Tara Shekede

Tara Shekede is a passionate advocate, educator, and founder of Me Plus More – A platform dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disability to live more independently, build confidence, and connect meaningfully with their communities.

With years of experience developing accessible education programs, Tara specialises in creating easy-to-understand learning resources, videos, and workshops that help individuals gain practical life skills and self-awareness. Her work focuses on topics such as self-advocacy, relationships, digital safety, and daily living skills always delivered in a way that is engaging, inclusive, and empowering.

Tara believes that every person has the right to make their own choices, use their voice, and be heard. Her workshops reflect this belief by creating supportive spaces where attendees can learn, share, and grow together.

You can find more information on Tara Shekede and Me Plus More at their website https://meplusmore.com.au/

Stay COVID-safe – if you become unwell, please stay home and do not attend this event

UP! Club Membership is Essential to attend this event.

Click on the link below to become an UP! Club Member:

https://downsyndromensw-2.snap...

UP! Club members require a signed 2025 Service Agreement and Schedule of Supports to attend events.

If you are a newly registered member and/or you do not have a valid Service Agreement and Schedule of Supports. We kindly request you complete the forms below:

Service Agreement

Schedule of Supports

Questions? Email socialprograms@downsyndromensw.org.au or phone 02 9841 4404.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We know plans change but we are so excited to see you! As this event is free, we would appreciate cancellations to be sent via email to socialprograms@downsyndromensw.org.au.

We can't wait to see you there!

The UP! Club Team