News and events for unpaid family and friend carers in WA.
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Caring Matters E-Bulletin | April 2023
Youth Week WA 2023
Youth Week WA 2023
Find a quiet spot and come listen in. Carers WA is about to give you a glimpse into the innermost thoughts and feelings of a young person who cares for a family member with disability, physical or mental health struggles.
In celebration of Youth Week WA from the 14th - 21st April, Carers WA will be releasing a new resource that gives you the insight into the life of a young carer. The focus for the week is on how young people can dream themselves a better world (no matter how big or small), and then use their skills, love, care, and knowledge to bring others up with them to help realise it.
To find out more about how Carers WA is inspiring young carers to reach their dreams, click here.
Carers WA Advocacy Update
Speaking Up for Carers in WA
This month we had the privilege of meeting with some key Members of Parliament to advocate for the interest of unpaid family and friend carers here in WA. These included meetings with:
- Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Medical Research; Volunteering.
- Hon. Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Training; Water; Youth.
- Hon. Donna Faragher MLC, Shadow Minister for Community Services; Early Childhood Education; Youth; Seniors and Ageing.
We also continued to meet regularly with other key government agencies, peak bodies and service providers to discuss policy priorities and how we can be working together to achieve an improved quality of life for family carers in our state.
How can you get involved?
Carers can be involved in Carers WA’s policy work by providing feedback through our new online policy feedback form here.
Feedback could include your thoughts on a draft policy, or on some gaps you have noticed in services or policies. It could also include you and/or your loved one’s experience with a type of service such as the NDIS. Any feedback provided is de-identified to ensure confidentiality.
Upcoming policy work includes:
Events
Carers WA Social Support Groups
Have you considered joining or volunteering as a coordinator for one of our Linking Together Social Support groups? Meeting once a month in locations across WA, these groups provide an opportunity for carers from all backgrounds to take a break from their caring role. They also give carers the chance to connect and form a supportive social network with people who have similar experiences.
To view a list of our current groups click here.
To enquire about a new group or to volunteer to help coordinate a group in your area, click here.
Carers WA currently has Volunteer Coordinator role opportunities open in Pinjarra, Collie, Ellenbrook, Dianella, Bayswater, Averly, Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah.
Pinjarra Pit Stops
Look out for Priscilla, our community engagement van in Pinjarra this April, where you can meet some of the Carers WA team.
When:
10.00am – 2.00pm
- Tuesday, 4th April 2023
- Tuesday, 11th April 2023
- Tuesday, 18th April 2023
Find us at Murray Library Carpark, Pinjarra WA.
To find out more visit our events calendar here.
Northam Pit Stops
Look out for Priscilla, our community engagement van in Northam this April, where you can meet some of the Carers WA team.
When:
10.00am – 2.00pm
- Thursday, 13th April 2023
- Thursday, 20th April 2023
- Thursday, 27th April 2023
Find us at the Village Green, Fitzgerald Street, Northam WA.
To find out more visit our events calendar here.
Be Job Ready - Bunbury
Carers WA will be delivering a Be Job Ready Essentials two day workshop during May 2023.
The sessions will provide realistic information and practical skills that can be used to apply for, secure and maintain employment such as:
- Identifying Hidden Skills
- Resume & Cover Letter Writing
- Interview Techniques
- Job Searching & Technology
- Job Retention Practices
Session 1: Monday, 29th May 2023 | 10.00am - 3.00pm.
Session 2: Tuesday, 30th May 2023 | 10.00am - 3.00pm.
If you live in or near Bunbury and would like free job ready support, register your interest here or phone 1300 227 377.
In-Person Peer Support
Come and join our In-Person Peer Support (IPPS) group!
Meet other carers who also understand the joys and challenges of caring for a loved one. These groups are an opportunity for carers to develop self-care skills, learn from others and share their experience in a safe and supportive environment. IPPS meet weekly on a drop-in basis at various locations in Perth metro.
Cost: FREE
Eligibility: Must be registered with Carers WA.
To find out more click here.
Linking Together Social Support Survey Winners
Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback on the Carers WA Linking Together Social Support groups.
The feedback from the survey was used for discussion at the Volunteer Coordinator meeting this month.
Three prize winners from the survey were selected at random.
They will be contacted directly with more details.
To find out more or to join a group near you click here.
Renting with Confidence
Learn more about your rights when renting, the rights of someone you are supporting who is renting, helpful tips for communicating with the property manager/housing officer and where to go to for support.
This is an in-person workshop for family members and friends in an unpaid caring role.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
When: Tuesday, 2nd May 2023 | 10.30am – 1.30pm.
Where: The Carers Centre | 182 Lord Street, Perth.
To register your interest click here.
Carers WA is also seeking expressions of interest for an online regional-focused Renting with Confidence workshop. To register your interest for this, please email policy@carerswa.asn.au.
The renting with confidence workshop is run by Shelter WA and PwD WA, and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Fab Fun Day Out
To celebrate Youth Week, the City of Belmont Youth Services have organised an all-ages event at the Belmont Skate Park.
Join in and enjoy some free food, a photo booth, face painting, inflatables and a live DJ! This is a free event.
When: Saturday, 22nd April 2023 | 12.00pm - 3.00pm.
Where: Belmont Skate Park.
To find out more click here.
Lifelong Learning College
Good luck to this term’s participants of Lifelong Learning College. You’ve got this!
Lifelong Learning College is a 10 week program offered by Carers WA which supports people with intellectual disability and their carers to build valuable life skills and develop friendships in a safe and supportive community based setting.
To find out more click here.
Carer Representation Orientation
Use your experience as a carer to stand up for, and represent the voice of carers in your community. Attend our upcoming Carer Representation Orientation, a half-day information session, which shows how your lived experience can influence change.
Benefits of the Carer Representation 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!
When: Monday, 22nd May 2023 | 9.30am - 1.30pm.
Where: The Carers Centre | 182 Lord Street, Perth.
To register your interest click here.
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.
When: Monday, 12th June 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 click here.
News & Updates
Royal Perth Bentley Group Achieves Level 2 Accreditation
Carers WA is pleased to announce that Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPGB) has been formally recognised as an ‘Accredited Carer Employer’, achieving Level 2 – COMMIT status, in the national Carers + Employers program.
By achieving this accreditation, Royal Perth Bentley Group have demonstrated their commitment to building a resilient workforce that values and supports employees who are providing unpaid support to a family or friend member at home.
To find out more or to read the full story, click here.
Photo credit: Medical Multi Media Design RPH
Cuppa and Art Workshops
Thank you to everyone who joined us for one of our Cuppa and Art workshops this month!
During the workshop the facilitator, Michelle Penny, laid the foundations for using water colours and guided participants step by step to create their own artwork. It was wonderful to see everyone discover their creative side together.
To stay up to date with upcoming events click here.
Young Carers Set Sail
Well done to all our brave young carers and their families who set sail on the Leeuwin with Carers WA.
Over three days, they got to experience things that they have never done before like climbing the rigging of a tall ship, setting and furling the sails, taking the helm and standing watch during the night.
To stay up to date with young carer opportunities or to register a young carer click here.
Carer Payment Increase
Following the March indexation, the maximum rate of Carer Payment has increased to $1,064 a fortnight for a single person (including Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement) and $1,604 for a couple. If you receive the Carer Payment, the increase will happen automatically; you do not need to take any action.
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.
To find out more or to participate 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.
Carers WA and Motobility partner to help a carer in need.
Recently, one of Carers WA mobile planning team members, identified an acute, specific need of one of the carers we support.
Penny is a carer for her husband. They reside together at their home in a lifestyle village in Maddington. Penny’s capacity to continue caring for her husband, whilst maintaining her own self care, general wellbeing and community connectedness, was being increasingly impacted. This was due, significantly, to Penny’s own mobility issues. Carers WA identified that a mobility aid would change Penny’s life for the better, helping build her own capacity to continue to care.
With other resourcing unavailable to Penny, Carers WA contacted Motobility in Osborne Park, requesting consideration for their help. Also recognising Penny’s acute need, and a mobility scooter being available at the time of the request, Motobility kindly donated the aid to Penny.
It is with extreme joy and gratitude that Penny took ownership of the mobility scooter this week. It was presented to her by Tai from Motobility and Carers WA – CEO, Richard Newman.
Translated Resources
With the recent addition of Korean, Spanish and Ukrainian, Carers WA now has resources available in 12 different languages.
Other languages available include Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese.
To access a resource in another language, click here.
Inclusive Children's Books
Did you know that Carers WA has a range of inclusive children’s books that have been written by young people with disability. They dive into the challenges young people may face with disabilities and provide an inspiring perspective for young people to stay strong and never give up on their dreams.
To download a copy of one of our inclusive children’s books click here.
Carers WA Conference 2022 - Sessions Now Available Online
As WA’s premier event leading into and celebrating National Carers Week, the Carers WA Conference 2022 program explored common trends and challenges related to the changing landscape of caring within WA, from the perspective of industry professionals and carers.
Themed “Inclusion, Innovation, Inspiration: Caring in the Community”, the event brought together a mixed audience of carers, policy makers, service providers, support organisations and health professionals. The conference was presented in person and via an online platform, with select sessions recorded and made available online.
To explore and enjoy the recorded sessions 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)
