News and events for unpaid family and friend carers in WA.
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Caring Matters E-Bulletin | June 2023
Carer Spotlight
Melina's Story
Meet Melina, an Industrial Engineer with a Masters in Project Management and carer for her 3 and a half year old son, Dylan, who has developmental delays and autistic like symptoms. Having immigrated from Venezuela with 9 years experience in her industry and financial pressures that made finding paid work an urgent necessity she says, “I had a resume that wouldn’t get me a job at McDonalds.”
She now shares her employment journey experience with Carers WA Be Job Ready course saying, “we started the course with our self-esteem and self-confidence shattered. And after these 9 weeks, we have all come out of the other end not only with our self-esteem and self-confidence restored but with a newfound feeling of hope for the future.”
To read Melina's full story click here.
To register your interest for an upcoming Be Job Ready course click here.
Regional and Online Events
Carers WA in the Regions
Practical support for family carers is available in every region of WA. Support services include counselling, tailored support packages, emergency respite and online supports. In Western Australia, Carers WA delivers Carer Gateway services and other services alongside our regional partners Helping Minds and Goldfields Women’s Health Care Centre.
To stay up to date with events and supports available in regional WA click here.
Kalgoorlie: Family Photoshoot
Expressions of interest are open for carers living in or around Kalgoorlie to take part in a relaxed family photoshoot. We have organised an amazing local photographer who will do the photoshoot at no cost to the participants.
These photos would be yours to keep but will also be used to promote and raise awareness of carers and carer issues in the regions.
You don’t need experience; the day will be relaxed and can be planned around you and your family.
When: Wednesday, 21st
June 2023.
Where: Kalgoorlie.
To register your interest click here.
Kalgoorlie: Long Table Lunch
Carers WA invites you to join us for a long table lunch in Kalgoorlie this June.
This event is for anyone in the region who is providing unpaid care for a family member with disability, a mental health challenge, a long term health condition, an alcohol or other drug dependency, or who is frail aged.
The lunch is free to attend for you and a friend and will give you an opportunity to take a short break from your caring role and connect with others in your region.
When: Thursday, 22nd June 2023.
Where: The Plaza Hotel Kalgoorlie.
To register your interest click here.
Bunbury: Be Job Ready
Transferrable skills are skills, abilities and knowledge you have acquired and demonstrated through your work, home life and other activities that are applicable to different jobs and/or industries.
The Carers WA 'Be Job Ready' program will help you identify and articulate these skills to gain future employment.
The next course is running in Bunbury this June!
Session 1: Monday, 12th June 2023 | 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Session 2: Tuesday, 13th June 2023 | 10.00am – 3.00pm.
To register your interest click here.
Boddington: Pit Stop
Do you provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend in Boddington?
Look out for Priscilla, our community engagement van, where you can meet the Carers WA team and have an informal chat about how we can help you in your caring role.
When: Tuesday, 6th June |10.00am to 2.00pm.
Where: Old School, 20 Bannister Road, Boddington WA 6390.
To find out more about an upcoming pit-stop visit our events calendar here.
Bunbury: Prepare to Care
This month the Prepare to Care team visited Bunbury Hospital to provide education for staff and to raise awareness of carers and the support that is available to them.
To find out more about the Prepare to Care Hospital Program click here.
Perth Metro Events
Stress and the Body
Carers WA presents an interactive workshop for carers exploring how trauma, stress and tension impacts the body. By educating the mind and working with the body, you can re-engineer your responses to stress and release tension.
Within the workshop, you will learn exercises and strategies to release and let go of tension through body movements, breathing and utilising your imagination. Each exercise has positive effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, immune and central nervous systems.
Come with an open mind, sense of humour and wear loose clothing that will allow for movement. This workshop will not require any agility or physical fitness and participation is optional.
Thornlie Workshop:
Monday, 12th June 2023 | 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Thornlie Park Meeting Room | 50-60 Thornlie Ave, Thornlie 6108.
North Beach Workshop:
Monday, 26th June 2023 | 10.00am - 12.00pm.
Henderson Environmental Centre | End of Groat Street, North Beach.
Cost: Free to participants registered with Carers WA.
To register your interest or to find out more click here.
Free Tickets: Circus Quirkus
Carers can now secure free tickets to the live performance of Circus Quirkus. Tickets are available for children and young adults who might require a more flexible environment when going to the theatre. Theatre doors will remain open, sound and lighting will be reduced, and a designated chill out area will be available.
The one-hour show is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair accessible, with Auslan Interpreted Performances available.
Showtimes:
- Sunday, 18th June | 11.30pm & 4.00pm.
- Monday, 19th June | 10.30am, 12.30pm & 5.30pm.
To register for your free ticket email meredithnewman@showintent.com.au or call 0404 367 782.
Free Massage: Helping Minds
If you are a carer supporting someone close to you who lives with mental health challenges, it’s easy to forget about your own wellbeing.
If you’re in need of a break and some self-care, HelpingMinds are offering 45-minute massage appointments once a month.
Cost: FREE
Eligibility: Must be caring for someone who lives with mental health challenges.
Locations: Hillarys, Midland, Perth and Fremantle.
To register your interest please email cyfs@helpingminds.org.au
For more information, call
(08) 9427 7100.
Self-Care for Carers
You are invited to join us for a morning of nourishing wellbeing and self-care activities.
It can be difficult to maintain our self-care but it’s important to slow down and restore. Together we will explore simple ways to keep motivated.
Expect to finish the sessions feeling nurtured and nourished. No experience is necessary for any of the activities as you will be guided throughout.
Wilson Workshop:
Tuesday, 18th July 2023 | 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Canning River Eco Centre.
North Beach Workshop:
Thursday, 27th July 2023 | 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Henderson Environmental Centre | End of Groat Street, North Beach.
Cost: Free to participants registered with Carers WA.
To register your interest or to find out more click here.
News & Updates
National Volunteer Week Celebrations
In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2023, Carers WA was pleased to host a lunch for the Volunteer Coordinators of our Social Support groups. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work they do to help facilitate strong and meaningful groups for carers across the state.
Interested in joining our team of volunteers?
You may be the perfect candidate for one of our volunteer Group Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator positions. We currently have openings in Collie, Ellenbrook, Dianella, Aveley, Rockingham, Perth metro or Mandurah.
Helping facilitate a group can be a rewarding experience. You will be provided with all the training and tools you need as well as reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses.
To find out more click here.
Self-Identification as a Young Carer
How does self-identification as a young carer impact the social and economic participation of young people providing informal care in Western Australia?
You are invited to participate in this research project, which is investigating the self-identifying characteristics of young carers and associated effects. You are asked to take part in this project because you are aware of your carer role (even if you do not publicly identify it), are between the ages of 18-25 and are currently living in Western Australia.
All participants go in the draw to win a $50 voucher.
To find out more or to participate click here.
Free Financial Counselling
Financial counselling is a FREE service that can assist with budgeting, manage debt, provide advocacy with creditors and help regain control of your finances.
Visit the Financial Counsellors' Association of Western Australia website to find a financial counsellor near you.
People can also contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for over-the-phone advice.
International Pen Pal Visit
This month Andi, our Community Capacity Development Officer, caught up with Jo and Shelagh from North East Wales Carers Information Service who are our Carers WA Pen Pal program UK partners.
The Pen Pal program supports over 176 carers from WA and across the globe. It can help you feel connected, supported and mentally resilient.
To find out more click here.
Advanced Care Planning Support Service
It was a privilege to have the results of the Advanced Care Planning Support Service presented this month at the 8th International Conference on Advanced Care Planning in Singapore.
The joint pilot project between Carers WA and Palliative Care WA has been designed to support individuals to progress their Advance Care Planning.
The personalised mobile service helps people have a say in what happens in the last part of their lives and uses a friendly conversational approach. The confidential service is provided free of charge to participants in Western Australia.
To find out more or to participate in the program click here.
Federal Budget: What’s in it for carers?
Carers Australia has analysed the Federal Budget released on 9 May 2023 and developed a comprehensive overview of the measures that will impact carers.
Many of the measures announced within the 2023–24 Federal Budget include increased supports to people receiving care, particularly in efforts to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. Although these investments may indirectly benefit carers, Carers Australia continues to advocate for targeted supports and recognition for carers. It is our view that this was not achieved within this Budget.
To read more click here.
New app: 'my health'
With the new 'my health' app, you can view and share key health information in My Health Record like medicines, prescriptions, immunisations, hospital discharge summaries, pathology and diagnostic imaging reports, and more.
The app also lets you view key health information that you, your healthcare providers or representatives have uploaded to My Health Record.
It’s fast, easy, and secure - and you can access and share it all from the palm of your hand.
To find out more and download the app click here.
Research: Safe Travel for Children with Disability and/or Medical Conditions
Curtin University is looking for children with disability between the age of 8 and 17 years old to participate in a 30-minute interview discussing their experience of transportation.
They will be asked open-ended questions about what makes transportation good or bad, how they feel about it, and what could be improved. The research hopes to shed light on the challenges they face, their needs, and potential areas for improvement.
To participate please email SafeTransport@groups.curtin.edu.au or call (08) 9266 3600.
Support for Defence and Veteran Carers
Did you know? Around one in eight current or former ADF personnel have a partner, parent, sibling or child who provides care and support for them because of disability, long-term health conditions or old age. This is a significantly higher rate than the rest of the Australian population, because of higher rates of long-term health issues in ADF personnel and veterans.
Carers Australia has developed the Defence and Veteran Carers Network with funding from the Department of Defence.
To read more 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)
