Hello everyone,

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2026. 
I hope you managed to find some respite over the holiday break, from the heat, the floods if they affected your area, and your many caring responsibilities. I found some respite going back to Scotland, where I was born and grew up, to celebrate my 50th birthday with family and friends. Yes, it was cold and wet but very heartwarming. (By the way, my use of the word respite is deliberate, and I'll explain why shortly). 

As you'll see in the following sections of this newsletter, the year is well and truly underway for Arafmi's events, support services, and advocacy for better systems. 

High on our list of hopes for 2026 are more of all of these, particularly in areas outside the state's southeast. We're bringing that to life by planning more events in regional centres, like the highly successful Cairns Forum, workshop, and Carer Gala last October. 

We are also aiming for more consultation with families, kin and carers in rural and remote Queensland, to properly gauge the challenges and unmet needs to guide our advocacy. 

There is just such a disparity in the level of all health services available for people in the bigger cities compared to the rest of the state, we feel we have to make this a focus. 

And so, now to respite. Arafmi’s carer respite accommodation in Brisbane is so popular it is booked out at least three months in advance. Some people travel hundreds of kilometres for the break. We know the need is there for more, and so we’re currently working on ways to convince funders and decision-makers to bring respite to the regions.

That will require significant extra funding - a big ask when we're hearing about tight state and federal budgets. I hope you'll join us in supporting this effort in the coming months - perhaps years. You'll hear more through our newsletters, website and social media on how you can contribute. 

Have a great month, Irene 

You spoke. We listened.

What carers told us in 2025 about what matters, what's hard and what needs to change is shaping our advocacy focus in 2026. This is what we're working on, speaking up about: 

• Listening to families and carers in rural, regional and remote Queensland about their experiences, challenges and solutions they see as most needed
• Continuing the Future Planning project to help carers plan for when they may no longer be able to provide care
• Improving carers’ experiences when the person they support is admitted to, and discharged from, hospital
• Developing a carer policy position on government reforms to the NDIS and other supports  

• Completing the new Carer Resource Hub so carers can find helpful info and resources in one place

• Raising awareness of mental health carers and support their inclusion in treatment planning and care for the person they support.

You can get involved by joining our Community of Practice, and we’ll share other ways you can be heard in future newsletters. 

Want to help change the system?

Join Arafmi’s Community of Practice – a monthly online group for mental health carers who want to share ideas, work on real issues, and help improve the system.

You’ll meet monthly (two session times to choose from), hear from guest speakers, and build skills to use your lived experience to help create change.

Carer events 

December gave us plenty of chances to slow down and celebrate together. We wrapped up the year with an end-of-year lunch at Rydges, where 56 carers enjoyed rooftop views, good food and easy conversation. It was exactly the kind of relaxed, social space carers tell us they value, a chance to connect without the pressure of formal conversations. As one carer shared, “I look forward to these events as they make me feel seen and special.” Others loved catching up with familiar faces, meeting new carers and sharing stories. 

Carers also enjoyed taking a breather at our Nature Bathing and Weaving Wellbeing workshop, with gentle time outdoors, creative weaving and a shared lunch. We finished the year with our final Create and Connect session at the Carer Respite Hub, painting decorations, sipping mocktails, listening to music and easing into the festive season together.

Out in the regions, Tracy connected with carers in Bundaberg through the Wanda Bus, bringing support on wheels. In Brisbane, the Vietnamese community came together at Inala Community Centre to celebrate a year of connection with Culture Care, Wellways and Play Matters. Culture Care also hosted an end-of-year  breakfast for Northside and Southside carers, a chance to enjoy traditional food, good company and keep building skills like healthy boundaries.

Free financial information from carers

Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free, confidential service that helps people with everyday money questions, budgeting, and planning. It can help if you’re dealing with debt or money stress, planning for the future, going through life changes, or worried about scams. 

You don’t need to be on Centrelink to use it.  All FIS services are free and open to everyone.

Helpful mental health resources for rural and regional carers

If you live in a farming or agricultural community and support someone with mental health challenges, the National Centre for Farmer Health website has a Support Hub with practical information and tools that may help.

It includes the Farmer Wellbeing Toolkit, simple tips for day to day wellbeing and the Mind Maintenance Toolkit, a free self-paced program to help manage stress.

Have your say: paid opportunity for carers

Have you supported someone through suicide related distress? Carers are invited to share their experience to help shape a new national learning module for carers, focused on practical and emotional support, connection with other carers, and helpful resources.

Paid participation is available for eligible participants. This consultation is run by Roses in the Ocean and funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission. 

Supporting young people through social media changes

Following recent changes to social media access for under 16s, Mental Health First Aid International has shared practical tips to help adults support young people, including how to start safe conversations and recognise when someone may be struggling.

Free theatre and voice scholarships

Free theatre and voice training scholarships are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with lived experience of the justice system.

Short courses run in late February and March and can help build confidence for speaking and performing.

No experience needed. 18+ only. Apply by mid-Feb.

Have your say on victims' rights

The Queensland Government's Office of the Victims’ Commissioner is reviewing victims’ rights for the first time since 2017. Stage 2 is now open and focuses on people's awareness of their rights, and what happens if they aren’t upheld.

Everyone’s voice matters. Help shape a system that better supports victims of crime.  An Easy English paper is available.