News and events for unpaid family and friend carers in WA.
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Caring Matters E-Bulletin | February 2023
New In-Person Peer Support Group
In-Person Peer Support - Hillview Multicultural Centre
This month Carers WA is launching a new In-Person Peer Support Group at Hillview Multicultural Centre in Bentley.
In-person peer support provides opportunities for carers to develop self-care skills, learn from others and share their experience in a safe and supportive environment.
When: Every Monday | 9.30am - 12.00pm.
Where: Hillview Multicultural Centre | 1-3 Hill View Place, Bentley.
Cost: Free for participants registered with Carers WA.
Register your interest here.
Events
Carers 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 local artist,
Michelle Penny, guides you step-by-step to create your own watercolour artwork.
The focus is on having fun, so you don’t need to have any experience or be an artist.
When: Friday, 24th February 2023 | 10.00am - 1.00pm.
Where: Victoria Park Centre for the Arts | 12 Kent Street, East Victoria Park.
Cost: Free to participants registered with Carers WA. Tea and cake provided.
Register your interest here.
Linking Together Male Carers
If you're a bloke who would like to meet up with other blokes in a caring role, then this group could be for you!
Take a break and catch up with our Linking Together group for male carers.
The group meets regularly at Perth Crown but if that's too far for you, they are open to moving to a different location to suit all members.
Register your interest here.
Lifelong Learning College
The Lifelong Learning College (LLC) is a program that has been designed to build capacity for people with disability and their unpaid family carer/s.
The program encourages education, building informal networks, and creating relationships in an inclusive community-based setting. Some terms run in conjunction with an In-Person Peer Support group for carers.
The next program commences in March 2023.
Register your interest here.
Be Job Ready - Bunbury
This course is designed to assist carers interested in gaining paid employment by providing realistic information and practical skills which can be utilised to secure and maintain employment.
The program will be delivered in Bunbury over 10 weekly sessions (2 hour duration) with key job-related skills and techniques covered in each session including identifying transferrable skills, developing a resume, interview techniques, and job searching skills.
To hear from previous participants of the program click here. To register your interest here.
Be the voice for all carers!
Use your experience as a carer to stand up for and represent the voice of all carers in your community. Benefits of the 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 Representation Orientation, a half-day information session which shows how your lived experience can influence change.
When: Friday, 24th February 2023 | 9.30am - 1.30pm.
Where: The Carers Centre | 182 Lord Street, Perth.
RSVP: Registrations are essential for catering purposes and room capacity (morning tea and lunch will be provided).
Register your interest here.
Great Southern and Wheatbelt Pit Stops
Come meet the team and have an informal chat about how Carers WA can help, and the services we provide.
When: February - April 2023.
Where: Gingin, Moora, Northam, and Pinjarra.
View the full events calendar here.
Coral Coast Road Trip
We are delighted to announce our latest addition to the 2023 road trip calendar!
Save the date and stay tuned for more details as the team plan the trip.
When: 20 - 24 March 2023.
Where: Kalbarri, Northampton, Geraldton, Dongara, Jurien Bay, and Lancelin.
Are you renting or supporting someone who is renting?
Living with disability, or supporting someone with disability, can make renting challenging. We invite you to join a small group of carers, to share those experiences.
We will use the information to advocate for better support. No confidential information will be shared outside of the focus group. Talking about tenancy can be hard so co-facilitators will be supporting the conversation.
When: Tuesday, 7th February 2023 |10.30am - 1.00pm. Morning tea is provided.
Where: Online, or in-person at The Carers Centre | 182 Lord Street, Perth.
All attendees will be reimbursed for their time.
To register your interest email policy@carerswa.asn.au
News & Updates
Linking Together Group Coordinators Needed
Are you ready to use your lived experience as a carer to help support others in your local area?
As a Linking Together Group Coordinator, you’ll spend 3-4 hours a month facilitating a safe, welcoming and supportive social environment for carers from all walks of life.
You’ll be given all the training you need and any out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed by Carers WA.
To find out more or to submit an expression of interest email socialsupport@carerswa.asn.au.
Young Carers at KickstART
The KickstART festival markets will be hosted during Youth Week this March.
The festival aims to offer the opportunity to young artists to grow in their abilities and practices, while also meeting other amazing makers.
No experience in stall holding is required, and registration is completely free!
To find out more click here.
Young Carer Survey
Carers aged 18-25 living in WA - have your voice heard!
Participate in an anonymous online survey to help make an impact for other young carers.
Participants have the opportunity to win a $50 Coles-Myer voucher.
To register your interest email
stephan.lund@uwa.edu.au or call
08 6488 1316.
Mobile Planners
Mobile Panners have recently been recruited by Carers WA to provide face to face planning sessions for Carer Gateway. Going forward, Mobile Planners will be available to meet with carers to identify their goals and ensure that an appropriate support plan is prepared, implemented, and evaluated. This can be in the carers home or in a community venue – e.g., library, coffee shop, park etc.
Mobile Planners will also liaise with a wide range of partner organisations to raise awareness of carers within the broader community as well as internal stakeholders.
If you are not already registered with Carers WA and would like to meet face to face with one of our Mobile Planners, please email mobileplanners@carerswa.asn.au
Hoyts Cinemas
Hoyts are offering carers an adult ticket for $1.10 (maximum of 1 ticket per day) when accompanying the person they care for to the cinema.
All carers wishing to take up this offer must produce their Carers WA membership card or any other card with government-recognised carer identification.
To find out more click here.
Telethon Community Cinemas
Telethon Community Cinemas are generously offering free movie tickets to Companion Card holders and their carers across four great outdoor cinema locations in Perth.
With lots of awesome movies coming up this summer, make sure you check it out!
To find out more click here.
Carers WA Policy Working Group
Would you like to be more involved in Carers WA's systemic policy work?
A systemic issue is likely to have widespread impact on many carers, rather than affecting one individual. This group is an opportunity to discuss potential changes to procedures, structures, or policies within our system.
Expressions of interest for 6 positions on the new Carers WA Policy Working Group are now open.
Applications close Friday, 10th February 2023.
To register your interest email policy@carerswa.asn.au.
Manage My Care App
This new easy-to-use app enables patients and carers to digitally track their outpatient appointments and referrals in one place.
It also makes it easier to update contact details for yourself or those in your care.
The Manage My Care app can be downloaded for free via the App Store or Google Play. You can also access Manage My Care via web portal by visiting the Manage My Care Website.
For more information and resources, including video tutorials on how to create an account, as well as answers to FAQs, click here.
Carer Retreats
Do you need a break from your caring role? Have you considered having a few days of respite in our Pembroke Court Retreat in Warnbro?
This 5-bedroom respite property, situated in a quiet cul-de-sac with uninterrupted views of the ocean, provides the perfect space to rest and recuperate. The property is available to carers registered with Carer Gateway for a nominal cost which can form part of your support package.
To find out more click here.
Carer Experience Survey
You're invited to provide feedback on the South Metropolitan Health Services (SMHS) pilot Carer Experience Questionnaire.
They will use your feedback to develop the questions that will allow carers in their health centres to share their experiences in the most effective way.
To find out more or to contribute click here.
National Eating Disorders Survey
NEDC is inviting Australians aged 15 years and over to complete a short survey to help refine the key priorities for the National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023-2033. The survey will ask respondents about their perspectives on the system of care for eating disorders.
To find out more or to contribute click here.
Connect Up!
Carers WA have teamed up with Curtin
University Research team, Health Redesigned and Eduka Web Design to develop an online social connection portal called ‘Connect Up!’
This portal will enable people with disability to;
• engage in the community,
• form social connections with peers,
• and increase opportunities for physical exercise, sport, and recreation.
Register your interest here.
Carers WA International Pen Pal Program
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.
Register your interest 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)
