National Carers Week 2024

Don't miss the opportunity to be involved in Carers Week 2024 (Sunday, 13th to Saturday, 19th October 2024). There are lots of ways you can participate and we've included some of our top picks to help you decide.

1. Share You Care: Help us make some noise by giving a shout out to all the carers out there. You can put up a poster at your community group or workplace, download one of our ready to share social media graphics or even create your own graphic using our fun and easy to use Canva template. 
2. Join us online for our premier event of Carers Week: During the Carers WA Conference you'll hear from industry experts on topics like carer wellbeing, navigating the NDIS and Aged Care systems, dealing with change and having financial resilience.
3. Art Collab Family Festival: Young people and families are encouraged to join us for a fun filled festival and mural art workshop hosted by a local WA artist Jinan Dodd. We will have live music, face painting and free ice-cream, dumplings and bubble tea!
4. Get Out On Country: We are welcoming people from all backgrounds to come and enjoy the sounds of the Swan River, learn language and enjoy culture together.

If none of these activities seem up your ally, don't worry - there are heaps more ways to be involved.

Just visit www.carerswa.asn.au/carers-week to find an activity that suits you.

Carers Week Events

On Country Experience - Nidja Kwob Boodja-K Waangkaniny

Carers from all backgrounds are invited to enjoy the tranquil sounds of nature and the beautiful scenery of the Swan River for this special Carers Week event.

Join us on an immersive journey guided by Whadjuk carers, Aunty Vanessa and Aunty Brenda, as they connect us to the land and share stories.

This will also be the launch of the ‘Healing on Country’ program for carers.

Date: Wednesday, 16th October 2024
Time: 9.30am – 1.30pm
Location: Woodbridge Park in Midland

To register your interest click here.

Perth Festival - Art Collab 

Get your family together and come join us for a hands on mural painting workshop facilitated by amazing local artist Jinan Dodd.

You’ll also enjoy live music and face painting. Best of all, we are giving away free bubble tea, dumplings and ice cream. It doesn't get any better than that!

Date: Saturday, 12th October 2024
Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Location: YMCA HQ | 60a Frame Ct, Leederville

To register your interest click here.

Join Online for the Carers WA Conference 2024

Be inspired in your caring journey as we explore a range of topics around navigating your identity as a carer including information on complex systems like the NDIS and the Aged Care system, taking care of your own wellbeing, managing change and being financially resilient.

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024 
Where: Online
Cost: Free

This event is proudly supported by Lotterywest and the Department of Communities WA.

To register, click here.

Regional livestreaming hubs will also be hosted in
Albany, Manjimup and Esperance.

Find out more...

Feel Relaxed with Our Wellbeing Webinars

The pillars of wellness series will take place over three mornings, in the cosiness of your own home, via Zoom. Together we will explore simple ways to work with our own cyclical nature and tips and tricks to keep motivated when life is asking a lot of us. Expect to finish the sessions feeling nurtured and nourished.

Health | Monday, 14th October from 10.00am - 11.00am

Sleep | Wednesday, 16th October from 10.00am - 11.00am

Relationships | Friday, 18th October from 10.00am - 11.00am

To register, click here.

Hospital Pop-Ups

Are you an unpaid family or friend carer who would like to learn more about Carers WA and Carer Gateway?

Our Prepare to Care Hospital team will be visiting a series of hospitals across Perth, including:

• Armadale Hospital | Monday, 14th October from 10.00am - 1.00pm
• Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital | Tuesday, 15th October from 9.30am - 11.30am
• Osborne Park Hospital | Tuesday, 15th October from 1.00pm - 3.00pm
• Fiona Stanley Hospital | Wednesday, 16th October from 10.00am - 2.00pm
• Bentley Hospital | Friday, 18th October from 10.00am - 2.00pm

To find out more click here.

Carers High Tea with HelpingMinds

Join HelpingMinds for a High Tea to celebrate Carers Week. This special event offers carers a chance to come together, share stories and experiences, and connect with the broader community.

• Midland | Village Cafe, Whiteman Park
  Wednesday, 16th October | 10.00am - 12.00pm
   
• Port Hedland | Rays Port Hedland
  Wednesday, 16th October | 10.00am - 12.00pm
   
• Geraldton | Soul Food Cafe and Teahouse
  Wednesday, 16th October | 10.00am - 12.00pm
   
• Perth | Chapels on Wheatley
  Friday, 18th October | 10.00am - 12.00pm

Carers Week Activities
Hosted by Other Organisations

Other Upcoming Events

Carers WA 2024 Annual General Meeting 

We welcome your attendance at our AGM as we present the 2023/2024 Annual Report and share the progress, achievements, and future plans of our organisation.

Date: Wednesday, 30th October 2024
Time: 9.00am – 10.30am, including morning tea
Location: 28 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the Carers WA team, learn more about Carer Gateway, ask questions about our new and existing programs and explore ways of working together.

To register your interest click here.

Albany Carers Conversation

The Carers Advisory Council recognises that carers in regional Western Australia may experience challenges accessing information, advice, services and support.

Please join members of the Council, carers, government agencies and service providers as we take part in a “Carers Conversation”. The purpose of this session is to provide a safe forum for carers, and the agencies supporting them, to express their concerns and identify local solutions on the unique issues that carers in the regions encounter.

When: Thursday, 10th October | 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Where: Handasydes - Cafe, Strawberry Farm & Play Area

To register your interest click here.

Service Provider Event: The Craft of Social Care

This workshop, presented by the internationally acclaimed speaker Heather Simmons is designed exclusively for professionals operating in Western Australia's aged care, disability, mental health and community sectors. 

Service providers will have the opportunity to explore common difficulties faced in the sector, share innovative practices and be inspired by the Thistle Foundation's journey towards a values-led, person-centred approach.

When: Wednesday, 23rd October 2024 | 9.00am – 12.30pm 
Where: Telethon Speech & Hearing Centre Auditorium, 36 Dodd Street, Wembley  WA 

Tickets: $75 for single ticket. $60 per ticket if 2 or more tickets are purchased.

To purchase your tickets click here.

The Carer Friendly Employers team is coming to Albany!

In Australia, 70% of working age carers are employed and are combining paid work with caring for someone. If you want to be an employer of choice, it is important to be able to acknowledge carers in your workplace and know what resources are available.

Becoming a Carer Friendly Employer will have multiple benefits including a formal accreditation, attraction and retention of staff, increase in productivity and decrease in employment stress, and much more.

When: Wednesday, 6th November 2024 | 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Where: 102 North Road, Yakamia

To register you interest click here.

Carer Representation Updates

Upcoming Workshops for Carer Representatives

Thank you to Sarah Cowie, the Director of HaDSCO, who came to talk to Carer Reps regarding the Code of Conduct for unregistered Health Care Workers this month.

If you are one of our registered Carer Representatives don't forget to mark these dates in your diary for upcoming meetings: 

• Carer Representatives Network
  Monday, 21st October 2024
• HADSCO and AHPRA Complaints Resolution Information Session
  Tuesday, 12th November 2024
• Carer Rep Workshop - Mindfulness & Mental Health
  Friday, 15th November 2024

For those interested in finding out more or becoming a Carer Representative please register your interest for our upcoming orientation or contact carer.rep@carerswa.asn.au

• Carer Representative Orientation Session
  Wednesday, 6th November 2024

Lived Experience Paid Participation Opportunity

Mental Health Matters 2 and the University of Western Australia (UWA) are planning to conduct some research to understand what could be done better so that people with lived experience (either as an individual, or a family member or significant other) of mental health, alcohol and other drug challenges and justice system involvement (with police, courts, prisons) are meaningfully engaged with as partners in research projects. 

They will be hosting an information session held via Zoom on Friday 4^th October 2024 at 10 am.  

A participation payment of $112.50 will be available for research group participants who are not participating as part of their paid role.

To find out more please email mentalhealthmatters2@gmail.com or contact Virginia Catterall on 0422 411 696.

Policy And Advocacy

National Carer Strategy Update

This month our team was proud to submit a response on behalf of our organisation and carers to the National Carer Strategy discussion paper.

Areas of feedback and recommendations included practical carer recognition and identity, economic security, carer health and wellbeing, National Carer Strategy principles, priorities and peer support.

You can read our full submission here.

Carers WA Responds to the ‘Draft Lists of NDIS Supports’

Our team also recently submitted a response to the ‘Draft Lists of NDIS Supports’. Our submission includes recommendations, general feedback and information for the inclusion of carers.

In submission we state that:

The proposed legislative changes and the prescriptive nature of the draft lists of NDIS supports, effectively disempower people with disability, and remove the choice and control which the NDIS espouses to provide. Further, the narrative around the NDIS and the supports it provides has shifted significantly, from a focus on investment in supporting people with disability now to reduce future cost; to a concentration on the current cost of the scheme.

You can read our full submission here.

Changes to NDIS Legislation - NDIA Online Events 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No 1) Bill 2024 was passed by Parliament on 22nd August 2024 and the new NDIS laws come into effect from 3rd October 2024.

The NDIA will be holding a series of online events for NDIS participants, families and carers and the disability community from 3 October to 28 November on the following topics:

• Introduction to Legislation changes
• NDIS Supports
• Changes to Planning and Budgets

To find out more click here. 

Get Social With Us

Latest Surveys

Our new survey page on the Carers WA website is now available for your use. By participating in these surveys, you're contributing to vital research and assisting systemic advocacy which shapes policies that directly affect carers.

News & Updates

Carers WA Recognises Motorola as Carer Friendly Employer

In the last month our Carers In Employment team have been excited to recognise the milestones of a number of organisations who have reached accreditation as a Carer Friendly Employer.

Notably, our team were excited to announce that we have been working closely with Motorola Solutions to support them to achieve Level 1 Activate Accreditation under the Carers + Employers National Accreditation Program. 

The evidence provided by Motorola Solutions has demonstrated a strong commitment to recognising and supporting carers in their workplace. They have shown enthusiasm and dedication in offering outstanding initiatives and developing awareness around their support for all staff carers Nationally.

We look forward to seeing how Motorola Solutions continue to build on their commitments.

To find out more about our Carer Friendly Employer program click here.

Carers WA at the Perth Royal Show

Carers WA was excited to sponsor the Sensory Space at the recent Royal Show. This specially designated area offered a low-stimulation environment for individuals to relax, refocus, and reorganise before rejoining the show. It was wonderful to see many carers make use of the calm space throughout the week. 

Thanks to the generosity of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA we also received 100 free tickets to the show which we offered to carers in a random draw. Congratulations to our lucky winners!

A Family that Cares: Young Siblings Sharing Caring Responsibilities

Nine-year-old William, 12-year-old Jadzia and 17-year-old Tory each help to care for their 15-year-old sister, Zahara who was born with a rare genetic disorder, called DDX3X, which includes moderate intellectual disability, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

Their super proud Dad, Troy Semmens is an Education Officer who has been with the Department of Communities for five years. “My family is everything – we support each other,” says Troy.

Last year, the Department of Communities became an accredited Carer Friendly Employer, the first State Government agency in Western Australia to do so. While the family support is crucial, Troy says having supportive and open managers and staff members at the department and in the workplace is also vital.

To read more click here.

Online Resource Library for Mental Health Families, Carers, and Kin

HelpingMinds is excited to announce the launch of the revamped Online Resource Library by Mental Health Carers Australia. This free, redesigned library features a fresh look and improved accessibility, making it easier than ever for carers and professionals working in carer-inclusive practice to find the support they need.

The updated library includes a wealth of valuable resources, such as:

• Practical Tools and Guidance: User-friendly tools designed to assist carers in their daily roles.
• Articles, Fact Sheets, and Training Modules: Stay informed and equipped with the latest information.
• Collaborative Resources: Discover materials to enhance your collaboration with families and carers.

To find out more click here.