Carers WA Conference 2022

Registrations for the Carers WA Conference 2022 are now open!

This two-day conference is WA’s premier event leading into, and celebrating, National Carers Week. The program will explore common trends and challenges related to the changing landscape of caring within WA, from the perspective of industry professionals and carers. 

Tickets are free for all carers registered with Carers WA but spots are limited so secure your spot now.

Service providers, industry professionals, community members and carers not registered with Carers WA are also welcome to attend for a fee. 

When: Thursday 13th & Friday 14th October 2022.

Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Registrations: Click here.

Carers Week Grants

National Carers Week - grant applications open soon!

Carers WA is offering grants to carer related organisations and carer support groups who would like assistance in hosting a picnic event to celebrate National Carers Week 2022.

National Carers Week is held annually to acknowledge and celebrate family carers throughout Australia. This year's National Carers Week will be held nationally from the 16th - 22nd October 2022.

This year, Carers WA is encouraging organisations to get involved by hosting a Carers Week ‘blue themed’ picnic or morning/afternoon tea. Grants will be offered for activities hosted anywhere in WA with regional or remote organisations prioritised and strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications open on Monday, 11th of July. For more information click here or email engage@carerswa.asn.au.

Events 

Winter Self Care

If you are a family or friend carer, Carers WA invites you to a very special edition of self care for carers. The winter series will take place over three mornings, in the coziness of your own home via Zoom.

It can be difficult in winter to maintain our self care but it’s important to slow down and restore. Together we will explore simple ways to keep motivated when it’s colder outside. Expect to finish the sessions feeling nurtured and nourished.

Where: Online via Zoom.

When: Wednesdays, 20 July - 3 August 2022 | 10.30am - 11.30am.

To register for this event, click here.

Get social with us

News & Updates

What is important to you as a carer? 

Have your say in the 2022 National Carer Survey!

The 2022 National Carer Survey closes on 31 July 2022 and carers who participate can enter a prize draw for their chance to win an Apple iPad 64 GB WiFi.

Complete the survey online now.

Prepare to Care

The Prepare to Care hospital team are now back in the hospitals, providing resources for carers and education for staff.

Carers corners will be restocked, so keep your eye out for the new design Prepare to Care booklet for carers.

Hospital admission can be a critical time, not only for the patient but also for the person who cares for them. The Prepare to Care booklet is a free resource to assist carers to navigate the hospital system when the person they care for has been admitted.

As there is often so much information to remember, this resource is a valuable addition to the carers toolkit. It has places to write things down, it contains lots of useful information about the hospital stay, and there is a directory of supports and services available in the community.

Please call 1300 227 377 for more information.

Parent Drug Support 

If you’ve supported a child through alcohol or other drug challenges you could give hope to other parents and families.

The Mental Health Commission are looking for parent peer volunteers with children who've lived through drug issues to facilitate family support groups in Midland, Thornlie, Rockingham and Bunbury. Full training is provided on 11^th and 18^th September 2022.

To get involved and sign up click here. 

Applications close on 29^th July 2022.

Carers WA International Pen Pal Program

The Carers WA International Pen Pal Program was founded in 2018 and now supports over 176 carers from WA and across the globe.

The program is almost 100% run by, and directed by, the carer. As a participant, you are not only able to receive personalised support from someone who empathises with your specific circumstances, but you are able to lift one another up. 

You can sign up now to receive your very own welcome pack, including your first three stamps and everything you need to get started. 

For more information or to get involved click here. 

Carers’ experiences and needs in supporting older adults

Carers WA and Monash University are seeking carers of older adults living in the community to take part in a survey for a research project, which aims to identify carers’ experiences and needs in supporting older adults who are discharged from hospital to home.

To take part, carers will:
- be supporting an older adult living in the community with chronic health difficulties;
- and have experience with discharge from hospital to home following admission for a physical health problem of the older adult that they support at any time after 1st January 2020.

The survey will take about 25 minutes to complete and is available here online.

Please contact Jacqui Allen from Monash University on 0427 940 794 or by email at Jacqui.allen@monash.edu.au for more information or if a hard copy of the survey is preferred.