Once in a 10-Year Opportunity

Once in a 10-year Opportunity

In October last year, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, announced the development of a National Carer Strategy.

The aim of this strategy is to deliver a national agenda to support Australia's carers and provide a framework for coordination of carer policy across Commonwealth portfolios including aged care, disability, veterans' affairs, and mental health.

To inform the strategy, the Department of Social Services wants to hear from unpaid carers across Australia. There will likely be lots of requests for input over the next few months and we know this can be time consuming, but it is also an exciting opportunity to shape carer policy for the next 10 years.

Opportunities will be shared on Carer Australia's socials, or in their monthly electronic newsletter. Alternatively, carers can subscribe for National Carer Strategy updates, here. 

WA Eating Disorder Framework

WA Eating Disorders Framework Feedback 

Carers WA is seeking feedback from WA carers, who provide care to a person with an eating disorder, to inform our response to the WA Eating Disorders Framework, as well as inform Carers WA’s broader advocacy strategy.

Complete the survey today and you have the opportunity to go into a draw to win a $50 Prezzie Gift Voucher.

To find out more and take the survey, click here.

Carers WA is also seeking expressions of interest for an in-person/online consultation on this topic. Please email your details to policy@carerswa.asn.au to express your interest.

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 supports alongside our regional partner, Helping Minds.

To stay up to date with events and supports available in regional WA, click here.

Carers WA in the Regions

Carers WA has been conducting many regional visits over the past year, during which we consulted with carers, the community and staff on the ground to identify:

• What was and wasn’t working for carers in the region;
• Identify unmet needs for carers;
• Identify short and longer term opportunities for improvement; and
• Collate recommendations from the community to enable these improvements.

This region-specific feedback from each visit has been compiled into reports, with an action plan to back it up, which will act as a launching pad for future involvement in the region.

These reports, and a summary version of each report, are now available here.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who offered their time and advice, and look forward to collaboratively working on solutions together.

May Pop-Ups

The Community Capacity Development (CCD) team is hitting the road this month with Priscilla, our community engagement van, for a series of pop-up sessions!

Pop-up locations include Coorow, Perenjori, Morawa, Mingenew and Dandaragan.

Join us for an informal chat about Carers WA services and supports and discover how we can assist you in your caring role.

To view all dates and locations, click here.

Be Job Ready – Geraldton Workshop

Do you want support to find employment and live in or near Geraldton? Carers WA are delivering a cost-free Be Job Ready essentials two-day Geraldton workshop in May! The sessions will provide realistic information and practical skills that can be used to apply for, secure, and maintain employment.

Please note that registrations include the compulsory attendance of both days. Carers are encouraged to plan and check their availability before expressing their interest.  

Session 1: Tuesday, 7th May 2024 | 10.00am – 3.00pm

• Identifying Hidden Skills
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing

Session 2: Wednesday, 8th May 2024 | 10.00am – 3.00pm

• Interview Techniques
• Job Searching
• Dressing for Interviews

To express your interest, click here, or contact 1300 227 377 or bjr@carerswa.asn.au for further information.

To find out more about the Be Job Ready program, click here.

Carer Workshops in Geraldton

As part of the upcoming Geraldton workshops in May, the Carers WA team is offering carers in the region an opportunity to attend some different workshops.

Carer Wellbeing, Art & Meditation Workshop (2x Sessions)

• When: Tuesday, 7th May and Wednesday, 8th May | 10.00 am – 1.30pm
• Where: Batavia Coast Conference Centre | The Gerald Apartment Hotel | Level 1/25 Cathedral Ave

Carer Evening Yoga and Meditation Workshop

• When: Wednesday, 8th May | 6.00pm – 7.30pm
• Where: Batavia Coast Conference Centre | The Gerald Apartment Hotel | Level 1/25 Cathedral Ave

Carer Evening Art Workshop

• When: Wednesday, 8th May | 6.00pm – 7.30pm
• Where: Batavia Coast Conference Centre | The Gerald Apartment Hotel | Level 1/25 Cathedral Ave

Carer Conversations Forum

• When: Wednesday, 8th May | 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Where: Pollinators – City Hive | The Ground Floor Space Room | 184 Marine Terrace

To find out more and register, view our events calendar.

Carer Gateway Webinar

Need a refresher on how Carer Gateway works or want to find out more? This webinar for carers aims to provide an introduction to Carer Gateway and how it may help support you in your caring role.

The webinar will provide an overview of: 

• Who is Carers WA? 
• What is Carer Gateway?
• Eligibility criteria 
• Supports and services available to carers 
• The process for accessing supports
• Contact Information

When: Thursday, 2nd May | 10.00am - 10.45am

Where: Online | Zoom

To find out more and register your place, click here.

Join Us at the Pingelly Staying in Place Expo

Join the Carers WA Community Engagement team as they head to Pingelly for the Staying in Place Expo, hosted by the Pingelly CRC.

The expo will be run over two days and include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, success stories, and valuable community insights within the aged care sector. Carers WA will also be attending and available for informal chats on the services and supports available to help you in your caring role.

When: Wed, 8th May from 9.00am - 5.00pm | Thur, 9th May from 9.00am - 12.00pm

Where: Pingelly Recreation & Cultural Centre | Pingelly WA, 6308

To find out more and register, click here.

Perth Metro Events

Carer Wellness at Home - Home Lifesavers Course

Are you a carer who would like to learn some essential lifesaving skills that may assist you in your caring role at home?

If the answer is yes, Carers WA would like to invite you to attend our Home Lifesavers Course! This community education program, run by Surf Life Saving WA, is designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge to carry out first aid treatments in your home.

When: Wednesday, 15th May | 10.00am – 1.00pm

Where: Surf Life Saving WA | 7 Delawney Street, Balcatta

Registrations are essential for this workshop. To find out more and RSVP, click here.

Young Carers Peer Support Group

Carers WA is hosting a 9 week in-person peer support group for young people (12-17yrs) who are caring for a parent, sibling or loved one with disability, physical or mental health challenges.

Come along and join us for a casual chat each week, make new friends, participate in fun projects and ask your questions in a safe and welcoming environment.

Together we will learn ways of coping, identifying and expressing emotions like anger, sadness and anxiety.

When: Every Wednesday starting 8th May 2024 | 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Where: The Y HQ | Leederville

Spaces are limited and registrations are essential. Please email youngcarers@carerswa.asn.au to express your interest.

NDIS Free Information Session

Midlas Disability Advocacy Services and Kin Disability Advocacy is hosting an NDIS information session, covering topics including the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and rights as a recipient accessing NDIS.

When: Wednesday, 8th May | 11.00am - 12.30pm

Where: The Avenue Community Hub | 11 The Avenue, Midland WA, 6056

To find out more and register, contact disabilityadmin@midlas.org.au or (08) 9250 2123.

Get Social With Us

News & Updates

Carers WA Conference 2024  - Call for Abstracts Now Open

The organising committee is inviting the submission of abstracts for the Carers WA Conference 2024, scheduled to be held on Thursday, 17th October at Optus Stadium. Carers WA encourages you to submit an abstract for your original work to align with the conference theme: Empowering the unpaid carer. Navigating identity, belonging and change.

Submissions are encouraged from carers and other stakeholders, who have an interest in the impact of caring and how the community can better support the needs and wellbeing of unpaid carers in WA.

Abstracts are currently open and close on Friday, 31st May 2024.

To find out abstract guidelines and know more, click here.

Assistance with the New Aged Care Reform

The Carers WA Carer Wellness at Home program is a crucial initiative designed to support carers in their roles, particularly in the context of the new aged care reforms in Australia. These reforms, set to take effect from 1st July 2025, will replace the existing Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs with the new Support at Home program, providing essential care for older individuals.

Read our blogs to find out more about the upcoming reform changes.

So how can the Carer Wellness at Home program assist you in making the most of these changes?

Our team can provide resources, training, and support to help those caring for an older spouse, parent or loved one understand and adapt to the new aged care reforms. This could include:

• Support navigating the new single assessment process including assistance filling out forms.
• Providing guidance and building independence and reablement for the person you are caring for so that you can have more flexibility, balance in your caring role and time to take care of your own wellbeing.
• Understanding the responsibilities of service providers and keeping them accountable.
• Guidance in making the most of flexible funding options to improve the wellbeing of the person you care for and for your own peace of mind.

For further assistance, please contact wellnessprogram@carerswa.asn.au or call 1300 227 377.

Social Support – Thank you Message

Carers WA would like to express our deepest gratitude to all organisations for their recent contributions to our Social Support program. We would like to highlight the following individuals and their teams:

• Debbie and her dedicated team at Sunflowers Animal Farm in Ludlow, near Busselton, have brought joy and wonder to many carers through their support.
• Tony and his exceptional team at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, who enabled our Mandurah Social Support group to enjoy the enchanting performance of Dean Misdale - Disco Queen in March.
• Madeline from the Arts and Cultural Trust, who generously provided carers with the opportunity to attend Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the State Theatre Centre of WA in April.
• WA Ballet for their ongoing support over the years, providing carers the opportunity to attend free ballet performances which is often a highlight for many.

We encourage carers to continue supporting these organisations and acknowledge the significant impact they have made on the lives of carers.

Positive Behaviour Support Workshop

Carers WA has recently organised a series of Positive Behaviour Support Workshops with a small cohort of carers and carer representatives facilitated by Dr Lu Arco, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at 360 Health. The workshops focus on Positive Behaviour Support, an approach that centres on improving skills that enhance effective communication, collaboration and support, and personal satisfaction in families with relatives who present with unhealthy or challenging behaviour (e.g., depression, self-harm, aggression, uncooperative behaviour).

Positive Behaviour Support also enhances quality of life by moving away from restrictive or coercive practices. The first two sessions, held in April, have explored what is positive and negative behaviour, why people sometimes behave in challenging ways, clarifying values, monitoring of daily activities, improving communication and collaboration, and developing a plan for positive behaviour. Two more sessions are planned for early May, in which participants will be asked to practice positive behaviour with feedback and acknowledgment and will explore how to maintain positive behaviour and goodwill over time.

The feedback from participants has been optimistic so far, with many participants already taking some of the strategies on board and making significant positive changes in their lives. Carers WA will be organising a second series of workshops later in the year for those who are interested.

To stay updated, please visit our events calendar.