End Of Year Message from CEO

Message from the Carers WA CEO

As we approach the end of 2023, and my first year as CEO, I find myself reflecting on the incredible strength and resilience that defines our community. So much has happened that has tested us, impacted our caring roles, yet allowed us to continue to support our loved ones.

My deepest gratitude and admiration to each and every one of you; your dedication to the wellbeing of those you care for has not gone unnoticed and which has, in many occurrences, permitted your loved ones to continue living their best lives.  Your compassion continues to touch and inspire the lives of others and all of us here at Carers WA.

I am immensely proud of our team and what we have achieved, and the strides we've taken in supporting carers throughout this year. We've introduced new initiatives, expanded our services, increased our staffing numbers considerably and forged meaningful partnerships which enhance both the quality and type of supports we offer. We have also reached further across this state than at any other time in our 25 year history and our outputs continue to increase; with most of our services delivering over and above what is funded. Our staff approach every new day with energy and positivity, and have risen to every challenge I have asked of them.

Looking ahead for 2024, we continue to plan for new and different initiatives that will further recognise and support unpaid carers in WA, but, your feedback and insights are invaluable in guiding us in our mission to achieve an improved quality of life for family carers. Please reach out to our team for support and feedback. More importantly though, where possible be mindful of your own wellbeing and putting yourself first.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Support During Christmas

Support Availability During Christmas

During the Christmas period, Carers WA and Carer Gateway services will continue to operate Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm.

We will have reduced services during the public holidays (Monday, 25th December, Tuesday, 26th December and Monday, 1st January). 

Please note: Carers WA and Carer Gateway is not an emergency or crisis service. If the situation is an emergency, please contact Emergency Services on 000.

For additional support during the Christmas period, please contact one of the helpline specialists below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Crisis Care Helpline: 1800 199 008
Family Helpline: 1800 643 000
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 007 339
Men's Line Australia: 1300 789 978
Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 1300 555 788
For immediate risk of harm to self or others, call the Police, Fire and Ambulance: 000

Holiday Information and Events 2023

Young Carer Christmas Picnic

The Young Carer team still has some spots left for young carers and their families to attend a Christmas picnic at Kings Park this December. There will be a selection of activities on the day to celebrate the festive season as well as some refreshments.

When: Tuesday, 19th December | 11.00am – 1.00pm

Where: Kings Park, Perth

To register your interest, click here.

Christmas Lights Trail 

Presented by the City of Perth, Rio Tinto, and Lotterywest, the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail has returned to brighten up the City and Northbridge. The self-guided trail is free to use and can be completed at your own pace. Each venue is also accessible to people who use a wheelchair, walking aids, and who are accompanied with a pram making it a great event for family carers.

With 22 light installations, you can explore the full trail or opt for the family-friendly 'Merry Mile' route.

When: Now to Tuesday, 2nd January 2024 | 6.00pm – 3.00am (Lights On)

Where: Northbridge and Perth CBD – Various Locations

This is a free event, with wheelchair access and ACROD parking available. To find out more and download the accessible trail map, click here.

Events for Mental Health Carers

HelpingMinds is hosting a Christmas lunch and dinner dedicated to celebrating the significant roles of carers. The event is open for expressions of interest from carers who are supporting a family member or friend experiencing mental health challenges.

Please note that expressing an interest does not guarantee a spot at this event. HelpingMinds will contact those who have registered directly to assess eligibility and will advise if a space has been secured.

Dinner:

When: Thursday, 14th December | 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Where: Helping Minds Perth Office | 182 Lord St

To find out more and express your interest, click here.

Lunch:

When: Monday, 18th December | 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Where: GESHA Coffee Co. | 59A Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle

To find out more and express your interest, 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.

2024 Events in Esperance and Surrounds

Carers WA will be hosting free community events in Esperance and surrounds so that you can find out more about our services.

Carers Event: The event will be free to attend and will give you an opportunity to take a short break from your caring role and connect with others in your region.

Service Provider Event: The event will include information on Carer Gateway, Q&A opportunities, and the chance to speak with the Carers WA team one-on-one.

Events will be held between Tuesday, 27th February – Friday, 1st March 2024.

Registrations and more details coming soon, and will be available on our website.

Perth Metro Events

Carers Conference 2024: Save the Date

We are excited to announce the date for the Carers WA Conference 2024. This will be WA’s premier event celebrating National Carers Week 2024. 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.

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024

Where: Optus Stadium

To express your interest, click here.

Young Carer Camp

Registrations are now open for our January Young Carer Camp. Young carers aged 8-12 are invited to come enjoy an adventure-packed excursion away from their caring responsibilities. There will be opportunities to try new activities and make new friends. 

Start: Wednesday, 10th January 2024
End: Friday, 12th January 2024
Cost: Free

Young carers must be registered with Carers WA to be considered for the camp. 

To register your interest click here.

International Day of People with Disability

Western Australia’s Individualised Services (WAiS), together with Kin, are hosting a special viewing of The Lives We Lead video stories in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

Don't miss our ‘Filming Our Future’ short film documentary series, where you can hear from 19 storytellers about what a more inclusive and accessible future should look like as it highlights their experiences with local community sporting clubs.

When: Sunday, 3rd December | 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Where: Northbridge Piazza | 142 Lake St

No registrations required – just bring your picnic and meet us at the Piazza!

For those who are unable to attend, the films can be viewed here. 

To find out more about this event, click here.

Policy and Advocacy

Carers WA Policy Submissions

The Carers WA Policy team are proud to announce the recent submission of three important responses to government policy and legislation. This includes:​​​​​​​

1. Submission to the NDIS Review

This submission provides recommendations for the carer/s of the people with disability to be considered and recognised in line with the WA Carers Recognition Act 2010.

2. Submission on the National Autism Strategy

This submission makes a number of recommendations for the National Autism Strategy including recommending that a focus be included on strengthening referral pathways for carers to carer services, including from early childhood services.

3. Submission on Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Bodies – Family/Carer/Kin Peak Body

Among other recommendations, this submission recommends that there be a stronger focus on recognising and supporting the unique needs of mental health carers, separate to the needs of the people they care for.

My loved one also receives care from another person, am I still their carer?

Yes, some carers provide care for more than one person, and some people receiving care have more than one carer.

For example, Ms W has multiple sclerosis and requires constant care. Her spouse and 3 children aged 21, 16 and 11 share her care and would each be a ‘carer’.

Ms W’s children would specifically be called ‘young carers’, as they are aged between 8-25 years.

Get Social With Us

News & Updates

Carer Representative Highlights from 2023

This year the Carer Representation program has gone from strength to strength, onboarding new representatives and seeing those who have been involved for many years take on new opportunities to stand up for and make a difference for carers in WA.

During Carers Week, representatives had the special opportunity of being invited by the Hon. Sabine Winton to parliament house to speak about and share stories. Carers Week also saw two representatives, Howard and Jenny, take to the stage at the Launch Breakfast event to share their own lived experience with a room full of CEO’s, Executives and Government Officials. We have also had the opportunity to congratulate Ron Deng on his nomination for the Mental Health Awards and Deb Letica who was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

On behalf of our team, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved this year. And to those who are interested in joining the program next year, please stay in touch for the announcement of our 2024 Carer Representative Orientation events.

ConnectGroups People’s Choice Award Recognises Raewyn Watene

Raewyn Watene, a dedicated member of Carers WA Grandparents North Social Support Group, has been awarded the People’s Choice Award by ConnectGroups, acknowledging her exceptional commitment to growing the group and making it a safe and welcoming place for carers to come and support each other. Reflecting on the recognition, Raewyn said that she is, "absolutely honoured to have been nominated for this award by ConnectGroups and completely amazed to have won." 

To read about her full journey, click here.

To join the Carers WA North Grandparents’ Group led by Raewyn, or to find a group near you, click here.