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June 2022 edition

Dear carers

I hope this newsletter finds you warm and dry.

My thoughts go out to the many people in NSW who are facing floods and the heartbreaking impact on their homes and businesses.

Natural disasters are so difficult for many of us but even more so for carers and the people you care for. The added stress of becoming stranded, loss of power and supplies, inability to leave the house, worry about the safety and wellbeing of others adds to the trauma.

I am really happy to have partnered with the ACT Government to develop an Emergency Database that has the capacity to hold the details of people who are vulnerable in emergency situations. The Database, which we are launching soon, will be able to be accessed by Emergency Services Personnel and Community Disaster Personnel to ensure that they are aware of the locations and needs of vulnerable people. Whilst this may not alleviate all worry it is a step towards reducing the stress carers can experience during a community emergency (such as fires, floods, pandemics, loss of power).

My apologies that the June newsletter is a little late. Unfortunately, the talented Rochelle who has been our Communications Officer has left us to return to her family business and this has left the task of the newsletter to become a group effort! We are recruiting to the position now and will have someone on deck soon.

June has been a really busy month as we approach the end of the financial year. Thank you to everyone who passed on information on making a donation to Carers ACT to their friends and colleagues. Whilst lots of people make donations in June, we are able to take donations at any time through the Donate Now button on our website. One of the activities our donations go towards supporting are our retreats. This month I want to say a particular thanks to the staff in our groups team who conducted 6 retreats in June and a total of 14 retreats in the past 6 months. I know how valuable these retreats are for carers and we are really proud of this program. It has been lovely to see some of you on the retreats I have been able to visit and it is great to see you able to have the opportunity after long periods of isolation due to COVID. It has been a massive feat for the groups team and I am proud of the work they have done.

I strongly encourage carers of people with disability (not just NDIS but any disability) to participate in the development of the ACT Disability Strategy during July. This will be an important document for setting the seen for inclusion and community over the coming years. It is vital that the voices of all people with disability are heard and that the voices of carers are included in the deliberations of the Strategy. More details are in the newsletter.

I was proud to attend the NAIDOC Ball on Saturday night. In partnership with Shaw Building Group, we sponsor the NAIDOC ball and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly those who are carers. As part of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers we have commenced recording a series of podcasts to tell their story of being a carer. We are planning to launch a series of 6 podcasts in August.

As always, please reach out if you need any information or assistance. Our team is always here ready to provide support when you need it. Please do not hesitate to reach out anytime. You can call us through the Carer Gateway at 1800 422 737, our office line at 6296 9900, or email us at carers@carersact.org.au. 

Regards

Lisa Kelly

CEO

NAIDOC WEEK

This important week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

It is an important time to reflect on how generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been affected, and will continue to be affected, by the past policies of the Australian Government and the ongoing impacts of this on the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.

NAIDOC Week is celebrated by local community events taking place across Australia. There are a number of wonderful events taking place in the ACT and you can find out how you can get involved by clicking here.

CARER NEWS

BRONTE CAMPBELL - CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

A massive thank you to Bronte Campbell on her accomplishments in the recent TV show Celebrity Apprentice. Bronte is a carer for her brother and along with her sister Kate were ambassadors for Carers Week a couple of years ago. As an aside, Bronte also happens to be an Olympic Medallist swimmer.

Bronte selected Carers Australia as her charity on the show and in doing so raised awareness of carers along with $60,000 as a donation.

This funding will go towards supporting Carers Australia in their policy work and in raising awareness of caring and the needs of carers. A big congratulations and thank you to Bronte.

YOUNG CARER BURSARY PROGRAM 

Are you a young carer or do you know of a young carer? Applications for the 2023 Young Carer Bursary Program are open from the 19 July to 13 September 2022 and are available to young carers aged 12 to 25.

There will be 1,000 grants of $3,000 available nationally to support young carers in their education.

Further information can be found on the Young Carers Network website youngcarersnetwork.com.au.

If you would like assistance completing the application please let us know by dropping an email or calling Imogen Kennard, the Carers ACT Young Carers Care Planner on 6296 9900 or imogen.kennard@carersact.org.au

2022 NATIONAL CARERS SURVEY 

The National Carer Survey is back again! It’s a chance to share your own opinions and experiences in order to help Carers ACT and our partners advocate for greater recognition and support of carers across Australia.

The survey is conducted by Carers NSW in partnership with the Carer Association Network across Australia. Last survey we had more than 100 responses which enabled us to use the data to highlight the ways in which carers in the ACT are impacted compared to other states and territories.

We are hoping to have the same or more responses this year so we can continue to build a picture of caring and the changes over time. Please take the time to tell us what is important to you.

To participate click here or search 2022 National Carer Survey online.

If you would prefer a hard copy of the survey, please let us know by sending an email to carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au or call the Policy Team on 6296 9900

HOME CARE PACKAGES PROGRAM

Changes to the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services (SCHADS) Award will be implemented on 1 July 2022.

The Fair Work Commission recently reviewed the SCHADS Award and concluded that changes were needed to ensure that it, together with the National Employment Standards, provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net of terms and conditions.

These changes are an opportunity for the aged care sector to attract more workers to aged care.

he Department of Health has been consulting and working closely with key stakeholders to discuss how the SCHADS award changes will impact the Home Care Packages Program. Through consultation the department has developed a fact sheet for home care providers. The fact sheet includes information about what is changing, how that might impact the business and options for home care service providers.

These changes do not require employees to spend the entire minimum shift of two hours with one consumer. All employees can continue to see more than one consumer, at more than one location, within their minimum two-hour payment time.

You can access the fact sheet by clicking here

ITALIAN GROUP RETREAT - DAY VISIT TO BUNGENDORE BY TRAIN 

Reflections on the day by a carer

As the sun rose on the 17th of June in the morning our group of seniors from the Italian community awake up with a great excitement for the day ahead.

At the Canberra train station two buses arrived at ten o’clock on the dot.

Noises and laughter could be heard a mile’s distance.

Soon the hall was full of these wonderful group of ladies that couldn’t wait to get on the train.

For others there was a contagious atmosphere of happiness from all other commuters spread from our Italian group.

The journey on the train was an opportunity to talk and to share stories about other holidays around the world during their wonderful lives.

Arriving at the small town of Bungendore bathed by the warmth of the sun from a winter day, it was time for little exercise walking down the street. Soon the town got up and alive.

Our group went to a cosy café nearby. Coffee was on the menu with other delicious food serviced by the kind staff that promptly satisfied all the requirements. Everyone was laughing, appreciating how good the coffee was according to their taste buds. At the end it was rated ten out of ten.

Photos were taken to remember this beautiful experience where happiness was the centre point of our journey.

At the end of the afternoon, after buying a few souvenirs from the local shops we all returned to Canberra by train.

As the sun went down and as the tired legs were complaining our group went back home with a warm heart and with another story to share with their families and friends.

WALK & TALK FOR WELLNESS AT COLLEN CAFE'

RACLETTE MELTED CHEESE IGLOO EXPERIENCE

CARERS ACT SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Keep an eye out for our weekly Friday email on the activities we have planned for the coming weeks. There are lots of opportunities to meet other carers, participate in a social activity, learn a new skill or increase your knowledge. If you are not receiving the What’s On email, please call so we can check that you are registered and eligible to participate.

CARERS ACT SUPPORT GROUPS

Our regular monthly support groups can be attended in person or via Zoom. Learn more about our groups on our website or email us if you'd like to attend. 

Northside Carers Support Group
Mental Health Southside Support Group
Mental Health Northside Support Group
Mature Aged Carers Group

Male Carers Support Group  

CARERS GATEWAY

The Carer Gateway provides a range of tailored supports and services for carers that are personalised to your unique situation and outcome. Services include counselling and peer support groups, respite care, equipment, home help and even support in home emergency respite. You can get the support you need to manage your daily challenges, reduce stress, plan for the future, and improve your wellbeing.

Call the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 between 9am and 5pm and speak to one of our care planners who will talk through what you need and help organise the right services and support to help you.

Get to know our care planners on spotlight this month:

Hannah Wowk - Hannah began working at Carers ACT as a Care Planner with Flexible Family Support program, in November 2021. She holds multiple qualifications including, Certificate IV in Community Services, Certificate IV in Community Development, Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs. Hannah is a qualified in Suicide First Aid. She has experience in a diverse range of roles in the community services sector, including working with intoxicated people, people bereaved by suicide, and children living with disabilities. Hannah is a bright, approachable, and passionate worker. Hannah has lived experience as a carer and is passionate to connecting Carers to long-term supports.

Imogen Kennard - Imogen is an empathetic and enthusiastic worker and has experience working with children and young people. With an academic background in social sciences, she is passionate about social justice. Imogen is currently studying Certificates in Youth Work and Community Development. Imogen enjoys supporting young carers to look after their mental health, engage with education and access respite from their caring roles.

CARER ADVOCACY

This month we took part in a Kitchen Table Conversation with other community organisations on the ACT Disability Strategy. It was a great discussion and an easy way to informally chat about what the next ACT Disability Strategy should look like. We recommend it to carers and their families.  Kitchen Table Conversations Kit | ACT Disability Strategy | YourSay ACT

As always do let us know about any issues that have concerned you in your caring role via carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au.

ACT DISABILITY STRATEGY

We are developing a new ten year Disability Strategy to create a more welcoming and accessible community and improve the lives of the more than 80,000 Canberrans who identify as people with disability.

The consultation is now well underway to shape the Strategy.  This consultation has been co-designed with the ACT Disability Reference Group and all conversations are led by people with disability.

We are keen to hear from people with disability, families, carers, supporters and interested community members on how to create a more inclusive future for all Canberrans.

There are many ways to have your say:

• Complete a ten-minute online survey on the priorities of the Disability Strategy
• Attend an in-person or online forum
• Join a focused conversation on a topic that matters to people with disability
• Download the Kitchen Table Conversation Kit to have a conversation with your family or group
• Send in a written submission or a video submission.

Consultation on the Disability Strategy is open until 31 July.

ACT DISABILITY STRATEGY - FOCUSED CONVERSATION - CARERS

Share your ideas and experiences on how the ACT should implement inclusive actions and activities which create change in our community. This focused conversation for carers is part of a public listening campaign, to understand what our community wants to see included in the ACT Disability Strategy.

An Eventbrite page has been created for the online conversation for carers to participate in consultation for the ACT Disability Strategy. The URL for the Eventbrite page is  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/act-disability-strategy-focused-conversation-carers-tickets-380703072137

Once attendees have registered via the link, they will be sent an email confirmation. An online meeting link will be sent out to everyone who is registered closer to the date of the meeting.

ACT INDIGENOUS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION COMMUNITY FORUM

The Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing, in partnership with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services a Community Forum for the ACT and regions’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Forum is an opportunity to come together to talk about the issues surrounding Indigenous mental illness and suicide and work together on solutions for the betterment of the Community. 

 The Forum will be held on Friday 22 July from 10am until 1pm at the Yarramundi Cultural Centre (245 Lady Denman Drive, ACT).  Refreshments will be provided.

 Attendance numbers are limited so please email OMHW (lou.catlin@act.gov.au) or Winnunga (beth.sturgess@winnunga.org.au) by 18 July to reserve your seat.

ACT AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NOMINATE NOW 

Courage. Sacrifice. Kindness. Bravery. Generosity. Resilience. Inspiration. Determination. Humility. We all know a Canberran who demonstrates these qualities.

Now is the time to nominate them for a 2023 Australian of the Year Award.

The Australian of the Year Awards celebrate people who are great at what they do, contribute to our society and inspire those around them. They could be a quiet achiever, community member, leader in their field, an unsung hero or a household name.

People like Val Dempsey the Senior Australian of the year 2022, for her unwavering support to our community during the ‘black summer’ bush fires and the Covid-19 pandemic. Or Luke Ferguson the 2022 ACT Local Hero, for his work supporting students with disabilities at The Woden school.

It only takes one nomination for someone to be in the running for an award, and any Australian can nominate any other Australian in one of the following four categories:

• Australian of the Year
• Senior Australian of the Year
• Young Australian of the Year
• Australia's Local Hero

Nominate now at www.australianoftheyear.org.au, open until 31 July 2022.

MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING 

Many Australians have experienced the mental health and suicide prevention system, as consumers, as carers and as workers in mental health or suicide prevention services.

The National Mental Health Commission will launch the Making Connections for Your Mental Health and Wellbeing (Connections2022) program. This is an opportunity to share how the mental health system is working for you and your community, any challenges you have experienced that impact your mental health and wellbeing and thoughts about what a functioning mental health system would look like for you.

• What has been the biggest challenge for your community in the past 2 years?
• What has supported your mental health during those times?
• How will you know when things are getting better for your mental health?
• What improvements would you like to see happen in your community?
  

Your voice is vital. By sharing your experience, you can help the Commission to build evidence that shapes outcomes for future national mental health and suicide prevention reform. Share your voice and experiences with our mental health systems by attending a community event or sharing your experience through the National Connections2022 Survey here

For more information call toll free 1800 220 246 or email community@making-connections.com.au

REFORM OF THE DISABILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESSILE PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) are being reformed to ensure they remain efficient and effective, are fit for purpose and meet the current needs of Australian society.

Stage 1 of the reform process identified 16 areas of reform, confirmed on 11 February 2022.

Stage 2 includes 54 reform areas which are open for public consultation until 9 August 2022.

The Department is seeking feedback on whether the proposed reform options will improve public transport accessibility for people with disability and enhance the public transport experience for all Australians.

Contact DisabilityTransport@infrastructure.gov.au or telephone (free call) 1800 621 372 for more information

Have your say by clicking here

INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS AT THE ACCESS AND SENSORY CLINIC

The Access and Sensory Clinic is a valued and specialised vaccination service for people living with disability, their carers and family members. The Access and Sensory Clinic is offering free influenza vaccines to people aged 10 years and over with disability and also their carers.  As we head into winter it’s important that Canberrans are protected from influenza (flu), noting that the 2022 flu season is expected to be more severe than the last two years.

Bookings for all vaccinations at the Access and Sensory Clinic are essential.

Vaccination bookings can be made by calling the ACT COVID-19 vaccination priority booking line on (02) 5124 3999, between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

The clinic continues providing COVID-19 vaccination services to people who need it.

The clinic will increase its operating hours to help meet vaccination demand over the winter months. From Monday 6 June 2022, the Access and Sensory Clinic will open 3-days a week:

Monday – 8:30am to 3:00pm

Tuesday – 8:30am to 3:00pm

Saturday – 8:30am to 3:00pm

The clinic is located at 24 Parkinson Street, Weston. Accessible parking and building access are available. You can access more information by clicking here.

SERVICES AND PROGRAMS 

PROJECT INDEPENDENCE COURSES

Project Independence are pleased to announce two more dates for our highly successful ‘Pathways to Independence’ courses, on 7 August and 16 October 2022. These small group courses (max 6 participants) are tailored for people with an intellectual disability, or mental health issues, to assist them to transition to a more independent lifestyle. They are a prerequisite for living in a Project Independence residence, but equally are suitable and open to anyone who wishes to learn and/or consolidate independent living skills. Participation can be funded through the NDIS.

For more Information and Bookings Contact Steven Giorgioni on 0455 237 687 or email sgiorgioni@projectindependence.com.au

THE OLDER PERSON'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE  

The Older Persons Mental Health Community Team (OPMHCT) provides community-based specialist assessment, care planning and treatment for older adults experiencing or suspected of experiencing a mental illness or mental disorder, and who are living at home or in a Residential Aged Care Facility within the ACT. The OPMHCT also provides specialist advice, expertise, and consultation with other health care providers.  Anyone can refer to the service including GPs, self, friends and family, and other health professionals.  The criteria are as follows:

• ACT residents including those living in residential aged care aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are experiencing either:
• a mental illness with moderate to severe impact on psychosocial functioning and/or
• moderate to severe behavioural issues related to dementia (behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia -BPSD) and/or
• a cognitive disorder with a mental health complication such as depression, suicidality, psychosis, or anxiety and/or
• are at risk of suicide
• People aged under 65 with mental illness and significant functional impairment caused by an age-related condition.

When OPMHCT receive the referral, it is triaged and a mental health clinician will contact the person referred for an initial assessment. If a different service would be more suitable, the referral will be sent to the other service with the person’s consent. If the referral is appropriate for OPMHCT, the service provides a range of interventions including assessment, advice, advocacy, short term treatment and interventions, intensive or assertive outreach treatment, clinical management, physical health review, care coordination and case review. Following an assessment, recommendations will be made to the person, their family/carer and care providers (such as GP, private psychiatrist, or geriatrician) about treatment options. Services are mostly delivered in a person’s place of residence and some community and outpatient settings with flexibility for those who are homeless or transient.

Contact details for OPMHCT, based at the University of Canberra Hospital, Bruce: Phone 02 5124 1980; email OPMHCT@act.gov.au. OPMHCT is not a crisis team, they have a two week time period to contact people referred. For crisis management, please contact ACCESS MH: 1800 629354 which is available 24 hours/7 days.

ABORIGINAL AND TOORES STRAIT ISLANDER INTEGRATED SUICIDE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, POSTVENTION AND AFTERCARE SERVICES  

A new program to help reduce suicide and the impacts of suicide within the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community will be delivered by a lead Aboriginal community-controlled organisation service provider, Thirrili Limited.  The program will be delivered in partnership with the local postvention Way Back Support Service at Woden Community Service.

Thirrili was appointed through a community-led commissioning process to ensure culturally appropriate support is provided through this service.  The service is needed to prevent suicide and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT who are impacted by suicide.

Thirrili will work closely with the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure that the service meets their needs, support families, and build strength and resilience. Thirrili will initially focus on community engagement and seeking local cultural expertise about the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community’s mental health needs before commencing the service. Thirrili will be attending and presenting at the ACT Indigenous Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Community Forum on 22 July. 

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