News and events for unpaid family and friend carers in WA.
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Caring Matters E-Bulletin | July 2023
Carers Week Activity Grants
Carers WA is offering grants of $500 - $800 to carer related organisations and carer support groups who would like assistance in hosting an event to celebrate National Carers Week 2023.
To be eligible to apply, you must either be from a not-for-profit organisation or local government authority. Regional, rural and remote organisations are encouraged to apply. Government departments, individuals and groups already funded by Carers WA are not eligible for grants.
Applications will open on Monday, 10th July 2023 and will close on Friday, 4th August 2023.
The Carers Week Activity Grants are proudly supported by Lotterywest.
National Carers Week is held annually to acknowledge and celebrate family carers throughout Australia. This year’s National Carers Week will be held from Sunday 15th to Saturday 21st October 2023.
To find out more click here.
Regional and Online Events
Carers WA in the Regions
Practical and emotional 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.
Bunbury: Be Job Ready
A big shout out and thank you to all the carers who attended the Bunbury Be Job Ready essential skills workshop this June. The workshop covered information on identifying transferrable skills, creating a resume and interview tips.
Guest speakers from the Bunbury Jobs and Skills Centre and Helping Minds joined to share information on local support services and Dress for Success supplied interview clothing for participants.
"I have already had an appointment with JSW and joined a workshop on line with Dress for success. I never realised there was so much help and support for finding a job…it's great!!”
To find out more or to register your interest in an upcoming Be Job Ready course click here.
Northam: Have Your Say
The Carers Advisory Council, supported by the Department of Communities, invites Carers from Northam and surrounding areas to Bilya Koort Boodja to gather and discuss:
- any challenges or issues you face as a carer,
- explore solutions to the issues that have been identified, and
- discuss what you would like to see in place to assist you in future.
When: 20 July 2023 | 10:00am-12:30pm
Where: Bilya Koort Boodja | 2 Grey Street Northam, WA 6401
To register your interest click here.
Albany: Upcoming Activities
Carers WA is excited to be organising a number of free activities for carers and service providers in Albany this August.
The aim of these activities will be to further connect with carers in Albany, to raising awareness of our services and supports and to learn more about the unique challenges faced in different regions.
When: 15th – 17th of August 2023
To stay informed about upcoming activities or to express your interest in having a member of our team visit your community group or organisation click here.
Pinjarra + Bridgetown: New Social Support Groups
Join us and take a short break from your caring role to meet others in your local community. Linking Together Social Support groups meet once a month across various locations in metro and regional WA including Bunbury, Busselton, Albany, Mount Barker, Katanning, Gin Gin, Narrogin, Northam, Merredin, Wongan and now Pinjarra and Bridgetown as well!
Your coffee/tea will be paid for by Carers WA giving you the opportunity to share your experiences with like-minded carers.
To register your interest to join a group click here.
If you are living in a regional area and would like to champion a new group in your area click here.
Carers WA International Pen Pal Program
As a Pen Pal participant, you are not only able to receive personalised support from a fellow carer 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 and everything you need to get started. Register your interest here.
Perth Metro Events
Wilson: 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.
Where: Tuesday, 18th July 2023 | 10.00am – 12.00pm
When: Canning River Eco Centre
Cost: Free to participants registered with Carers WA.
To register your interest or to find out more click here.
Cockburn: Be Job Ready
Do you want support to find employment? Expressions of interest for the next Be Job Ready Course in Cockburn are now open.
The course is specifically designed to assist carers in transitioning to employment by providing realistic information and practical skills which can be utilised to secure and maintain employment.
The program is delivered over 10 sessions (2 hours per session) 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 be eligible you must:
- Be in a caring role currently or within the last 12 months
- Be aged between 14-65 years
- Live in or near the Perth metropolitan area
View experiences from previous participants of the program in this short video.
To express an interest visit our website, phone 1300 227 377 or email bjr@carerswa.asn.au
Thornlie: Boundaries
Strong personal boundaries can enable a sense of confidence in ourselves and our well-being. In this workshop we explore what limits us in putting boundaries in when we need them in our relationships.
We will discuss some of the things we can do to build our capacity, overcome those limits and enable us to make time for ourselves whilst connecting and sharing with others.
The workshop is externally facilitated by private practitioner, Louisa Holmes, a registered Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor.
A complimentary light lunch will be included.
When: Tuesday, 8th August 2023 | 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Where: Thornlie Park Meeting Room | 50-60 Thornlie Ave, Thornlie 6108.
Cost: Free to participants registered with Carers WA.
To register your interest or to find out more click here.
External Event: Damper Making
WA Disabled Sports Association is offering the chance for young people aged 6-17yrs to come and try damper making and camp activities with them these school holidays. All abilities are encouraged to come and try a new skill, join in, and connect with others.
When: Thursday, 13th July 2023 | 10.00am - 11.00am
Where: The Leisurelife Centre, Victoria Park
Cost: $10 per participant
To register your interest click here.
External Event: Archery
Get involved, get active and challenge yourself by trying something new - archery! WA Disabled Sports Association is offering the chance for young people aged 6-17yrs to come and try archery during the July school holidays.
When: Monday, 10th July 2023 | 10.00am - 10.45am
Where: The Leisurelife Centre, Victoria Park
Cost: $10 per participant
To register your interest click here.
Fremantle + Bayswater/Bassendean: New Social Support Groups
Join us and take a short break from your caring role to meet others in your local community. Linking Together Social Support groups meet once a month across various locations in metro and regional WA including new locations Fremantle and Bayswater/Bassendean!
Your coffee/tea will be paid for by Carers WA giving you the opportunity to share your experiences with like-minded carers.
To register your interest to join a group click here.
If you are living in an area that doesn't currently have a social support group and would like to champion a new group click here.
News & Updates
The Young Carer Bursary Program
The Young Carer Bursary Program supports young carers to continue with their education and reduce their need to undertake paid work at the same time as their study and caring duties.
The program offers 1,592 bursaries of $3,768 each year to assist with education needs and resources.
Applications for the next bursary opens Tuesday, 18th July 2023. To find out more or to apply for the 2024 program click here.
To register a young carer with Carers WA click here.
Social Support Art Therapy Course
Thank you to Heart Place for organising a 6 week art therapy course for our carers who are part of the Carers WA Linking Together social support groups.
'I loved, loved this group, it helped me connect with everyone.'
'I thoroughly enjoyed the class, and I will trust myself a bit more with creative expression knowing that it doesn’t have to be perfect. This has given me the confidence to use creative expression as a means to handle stress.'
'Thoroughly enjoyed the program, meeting people, gaining more knowledge and connecting with people with similar struggles.'
For more information on Linking Together social support groups click here.
Annual Carer Supplement Payment
If you are getting an eligible payment, you will get the Carer Supplement from Services Australia between 5th July and 1st August 2023.
To get Carer Supplement, you need to get an eligible payment for a period that includes 1st of July and can get it for each eligible person you care for.
You don’t need to do anything to get this payment. If you’re eligible, Services Australia will pay it automatically.
For more information visit the Services Australia website here.
Annual Child Disability Assistance Payment
If you receive Carer Allowance for a child younger than 16, you’ll get Child Disability Assistance Payment (CDAP) between 5th July and 1st August 2023.
You’ll be paid a CDAP for each child younger than 16 that you get Carer Allowance for. You must get Carer Allowance for a period that includes 1st of July 2023.
You don’t need to do anything to get this payment. If you think you’re eligible and haven’t got the payment by 2nd August 2023 you can access assistance here.
Inquiry into the recognition of unpaid carers
Last week the Australian Government announced an Inquiry into the recognition of unpaid carers.
Carers Australia CEO Alison Brook has said “It is pleasing to see that the new Inquiry’s Terms of Reference appear broader than simply a definition of ‘who is a carer’. True recognition and the appropriate policy and service response that follow require looking at the diversity of caring, issues related to financial security, the economic value of carers and the broader reform agenda across portfolios.”
Over the coming months Carers WA will work with Carers Australia to develop resources to help carers share their lived experiences within the Terms of Reference and make submissions to the Inquiry.
You can find out more about the Inquiry 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)
