News and events for unpaid family and friend carers in WA.
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Caring Matters E-Bulletin | December 2024
Christmas Operating Hours
During the Christmas period, Carers WA and Carer Gateway services will continue to operate Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm, with reduced services during the public holidays (25th December, 26th December and 1st January).
We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks for your support and involvement this year. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
For additional support during the Christmas period please contact one of the helpline specialists below:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 467
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Crisis Care Helpline: 1800 199 008
Family Helpline: 1800 643 000
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 007 339
NB: For immediate risk of harm to self or others, call the Police, Fire and Ambulance: 000.
Carers WA Giveaways
The Telethon Community Cinema, located in Bassendean, Burswood, Joondalup, and Murdoch, is an essential summer holiday experience, and we're offering carers a chance to win free tickets. Enjoy one of the season's latest blockbusters under the stars and take a break from your usual duties on us.
Click here to enter the draw. Terms and conditions apply.
This summer we're giving away tickets to Adventure World!
From adrenaline pumping rollercoasters and thrilling water slides, to a relaxing family picnic in the park, Adventure World has something for everyone.
Click here to enter. Terms and conditions apply.
Activities for Young Carers
Young Carer Christmas Celebration
Ready for a festive adventure? Carers WA will be hosting a Young Carer Christmas Celebration for young carers aged 8-12 yrs.
We'll be at the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal farm getting up close and personal with lots of friendly farmyard animals. Participants will also enjoy other fun activities like face painting and a delicious catered spread.
When: Thursday, 19th December | 1.00pm
Where: Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Carers WA Camp (8-12yrs)
This Carers WA Camp is designed for young carers aged 8-12yrs.
This camp offers three days of adventure activities, team building and time out for young carers to take a break away from their caring role.
Start: Tuesday, 21st January 2025
End: Thursday, 23rd January 2025
Where: Perth's northern suburbs
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
HelpingMinds Camp (12-15yrs)
This Adventure Camp is designed for young mental health carers aged 12 - 15yrs who live in Southwest WA.
This camp features an overnight stay at Discovery Parks Margaret River and exciting excursions to Forest Adventures Southwest and Sea Play on the Bay.
Start: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
End: Thursday, 30 January 2025
Where: Discovery Parks Margaret River
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Fremantle: Mini Golf and Bowling
Show off your skills on an 18-hole mini golf course, followed by a game of bowling.
Date: Thursday, 16th January 2025
Time: 11.00am start (10.45am drop off) – 1.30pm pick up
Location: Fremantle
Age Group: 13 – 17yrs
Capacity: 10 Max
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Karrinyup: Escape Room and Bowling
Strategic minds will be working with an escape room challenge! But that’s not all, a fun game of bowling awaits them afterwards.
Date: Tuesday, 21st January 2025
Time: 11.00am start (10.30am drop off) – 1.30pm pick up
Location: Karrinyup
Age Group: 13 – 17yrs
Capacity: 10 Max
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Maylands: Gnome Creations
Learn how to craft your own miniature garden gnomes by hand. These charming creations will make the perfect addition to your home garden.
Date: Thursday, 30th January
Time: TBC
Age Group: 13 – 17yrs
Capacity: 10 Max
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Cannington: Acrobatics and Trampolining
Enjoy some trampolining fun and let loose by literally bouncing off the walls! Trampolining socks will be provided.
Date: Friday, 17th January 2025
Time: 11.00am start (10.30am drop off) – 1.00pm pick up
Location: Cannington
Age Group: 8 – 12yrs
Capacity: 10 Max
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Mandurah: Pirate Ship
Embark on an adventure down the Mandurah Canal and Waterways aboard the legendary Mandurah Pirate Ship.
Date: Thursday, 23rd January 2025
Time: 11.45am start (11.30am drop off) – 1.30pm pick up
Location: Mandurah.
Age Group: 8 – 12yrs
Capacity: 10 Max
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Self-Care Evening for Young Carers
Young carers aged 12-15yrs who have a family member or a friend with a mental health challenge are invited to an evening of self-care.
Date: Wednesday, 8th January
Time: 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Location: HelpingMinds Midland
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Outback Splash Day Out for Young Carers
Young carers aged 12-15yrs who have a family member or a friend with a mental health challenge are invited to a day out at Outback Splash.
Date: Thursday, 19th December
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Location: Outback Splash
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Adventure Day Out for Young Carers
Young carers aged 12-15yrs who have a family member or a friend with a mental health challenge are invited to a day out at the WA Reptile Park.
Date: Tuesday, 17th December
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Location: Swan Valley Reptile Park
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Scitech Day Out for Young Carers
Young carers aged 12-15yrs who have a family member or a friend with a mental health challenge are invited to a day out at Scitech.
Date: Wednesday, 18th December
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Location: Scitech
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Christmas Activities for Carers
Online: Christmas Wellbeing Tips
Join Helpingminds for their '12 Days of Well-mas' campaign where they will be running a series of 1-hour workshops over 12 days offering Christmas tips for managing Holiday Season stress and boosting your wellbeing during the festive period.
- Tuesday, 3th December | 10.00am - 11.00am
- Thursday, 5th December | 10.00am - 11.00am
- Tuesday, 10 December | 1.00pm - 2.00pm
- Friday, 13th December | 10.00am - 11.00am
- Tuesday, 17th December | 10.00am - 11.00am
- Wednesday, 18th December | 1.00pm - 2.00pm
To find out more click here.
Beechboro: Santa's Workshop
Includes: Face painters, bouncy castles, amusement rides, water slides, market & community stalls, food trucks, Space to Sing Choir, pony rides, Santa's DIY Workshop and toy swap.
Date: Friday, 6th December
Time: 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Location: 43 Hull Way, Beechboro
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Belmont: Perth Symphony Orchestra and Markets
Includes: Concert by Perth Symphony Orchestra and Christmas markets
Date: Saturday, 7th December
Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Miles Park, Cloverdale
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Lakelands: Sensitive Santa
Includes: 10 minute meet and greet sessions facilitated by the Curtin Autism Research Group with a small gift from Santa.
Date: Sunday mornings on the 1st and 8th of December
Time: 10.30am
Location: Lakelands Shopping Centre
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Bulter: MSWA Christmas Market
Includes: Hand-crafted stalls, delicious food, entertainment and door prizes.
Date: Friday, 13th December
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Location: MSWA Butler
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Perth City: Carols on Country by Candlelight
Includes: Noongar language brought to life through beloved Christmas carols, complimentary songbooks, fire ceremony and Indigenous makers market.
Date: Saturday, 14th December
Time: 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Location: Yagan Square
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Melville: Movie Night
Includes: Screening of Christmas movie Arthur Christmas and light snacks.
Date: Friday, 20th December
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: AH Bracks Library + Creative Space
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Accessible Walking Tour: Christmas Lights Trail
The Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail is back in town this year, lighting up the City of Perth and Northbridge. Over two nights, a DADAA guide will take people with disability, their families, and friends on a tour to see the installations on the accessible ‘Merry Mile’ route. This trail will be audio-described, allowing people who are blind or have visual impairments to enjoy the Christmas light installations across the CBD.
Date: Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Times: 7:15pm – 8:15pm or 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Date: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Time: 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Other Upcoming Events
Fremantle: Dementia and Your Caring Role
This program provides an understanding of dementia and how to care for someone living with dementia including strategies and resources including communication, changes in behaviour, making your home dementia friendly and more.
This program runs over 4 sessions each Friday from the 7th - 28th February 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm.
Location: Fremantle Hospital
To find out more click here.
Online: Understanding Aged Care Complaints and Open Disclosure
Join the Older Persons Advoacacy Network (OPAN) and an expert panel as they explore what happens when things go wrong with your aged care service and delve into effective complaints handling.
Date: Tuesday, 10th December 2024
Time: 10.00am - 11.00am
Location: Online
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Northam: Cuppa and Art Workshop
Carers WA invites you to come share a cuppa with other carers and enjoy an easy watercolour art activity. Connect or reconnect with your creative side as artist Michelle Penny guides you step-by-step to create your own watercolour artwork.
Date: Thursday, 27th February 2025
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Location: Dome Northam
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Morley: Inclusive Beats
Includes: Two silent disco sessions.
Date: Tuesday, 3rd December 2024
Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm or
5.00pm - 6.00pm
Location: Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Subiaco: All Abilities Wheelchair Football
Includes: Wheelchair Football for all abilities with 2024 Paralymic guest Rhiannon Clarke.
Date: Wednesday, 4th December 2024
Time: 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Location: Lords Recreation Centre
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Albany: Great Southern Disability Festival
Includes: Fun activities, crafts on sale and entertainment by people with disability.
Date: Tuesday, 3rd December 2024
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Location: Albany Town Square
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Cockburn: Micro-Enterprise Market
Includes: Marketing with unique handcrafted treasures.
Date: Saturday, 7th December 2024
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Location: Cockburn Gateway
Cost: Free
To find out more click here.
Perth: Carer Representative Orientation
Use your experience as a carer to stand up for, and represent the voice of carers in your community. Benefits of the Carer Representation Program include the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with other carers, learn new skills, develop confidence, make a real difference to the way carers are treated in the health and mental health systems – and so much more!
Attend our upcoming Carer Representative Orientation, a half-day information session, which shows how your lived experience can influence change.
Date: Monday, 17th February 2024
Time: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Location: 182 Lord Street, Perth (Online option for regional carers)
Cost: Free
To register your interest click here.
Please complete the RSVP form by Monday, 10th February 2025.
Carer Representation Updates
News and Updates for Carer Representatives
If you are one of our registered Carer Representatives don't forget to mark these dates in your diary for upcoming meetings:
- Carer Rep Workshop - Mindfulness & Mental Health
Friday, 5th February 2025
We've also added a number of new vacancies. You can browse all available vacancies on our website here.
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
Policy And Advocacy
Help Shape the Future of Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Services
Your input is crucial to shape the future of mental health and substance abuse services in WA.
On behalf of the WA Mental Health Commission, we have developed an easy 15 minute survey so that you can share your feedback on the WA Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025-2030. Plus, you'll have the chance to win one of two $50 Prezzie gift vouchers! 🎁
To complete the survey click here.
The survey closes on 3rd December 2024.
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.
Siblings of Individuals with Autism, ADHD and Down Syndrome
Young carers aged between 16 - 30 years are invited to participate in a groundbreaking research project seeking to understand the unique experiences of siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Down Syndrome.
To find out more, click here.
LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy
This survey lets you voice your thoughts on important issues that could affect you or the LGBTIQA+ communities. It also gathers useful but anonymous demographic information.
The purpose of the statewide consultation is to inform the development of the Strategy.
To find out more, click here.
News & Updates
Achieve a savings goal for 10 months, and ANZ will match it up to $500.
Carers on the Carer Allowance or Carer Payment may be eligible to receive up to $500 to help with education costs. Saver Plus is a free financial education program for people on lower incomes and helps people to develop life-long savings habits.
To find out more and to see if you are eligible click here.
Got a question?
Call 1300 227 377 or email info@carerswa.asn.au
If you are feeling overwhelmed or are seeking help with mental or emotional stress, we encourage you to contact Australia's helpline specialists that operate 24/7, built to support everyone, all year round.
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service:
1300 659 467
Immediate Risk of Harm:
Triple Zero (000)
