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August 2022
Hello Carers,
August has flown by at Carers ACT with plenty of events, outcomes and advocacy taking place, with an emphasis on the ACT Carers Strategy, the Carer Recognition Act and the broader education and awareness work that is so fundamental to the intent of the Strategy and Act.
I see these tools as a real opportunity, to bring the unseen work of carers to the community's attention in an ongoing and embedded way, and I’d like to highlight a few opportunities Carers ACT have pursued this month to advance this goal.
Capital Health Network and Carers ACT hosted an educational dinner for GPs and allied health practitioners at the beginning of the month, where we highlighted carer health and wellbeing issues, and the steps health practices can take to support and identify carers. I hope this is the start of many outreach activities we can undertake to create ‘Carer Friendly Health Practices’ as a standard across Canberra.
Our Policy and Advocacy team have also been working on education initiatives with hospitals, delivering training and resources to new staff and health care teams who have front line exposure to carers. I’m thrilled that Carers ACT has the opportunity to work with hospitals and health centres to create practices where carers are identified, involved and supported alongside the primary patient.
Broader community outreach continued in novel ways right through to the end of the month. I was privileged to be able to speak at the Australian Institute of Building awards a few might ago, thanks to one of our longest running and steadfast supporters, Shaw Building Group. The opportunity to speak at their industry award night is just one of the many ways Shaw Building Group supports Carers ACT, and it provided us with a unique opportunity to talk to a new audience - a room full of builders, contractors, engineers and architects - about the carers among us, and how most, if not all of us will either be a carer or require a carer at some stage in our life. The sheer number of unpaid carers in our community and the impact the role can have on a carers wellbeing really hit home with the audience.
Our preparations for Carers Week 2022 are underway and Carers ACT will be looking for carer stories to present to the community through media, website articles and social media. If you wish to share your own story, share your carers tips or message to the community please contact communications@carersact.org.au. This year follows the theme "Millions of reasons to care" and in collaboration with Carers Australia and the National Network, we would like to feature a range of carer stories through out October to represent the diversity of the 2.65 million unpaid carers across Australia.
On a personal note, Spring is nearly upon us and I was reflecting recently on the Ferris wheel going up at Commonwealth Park in preparation for Floriade. In previous years, this has always been the sign of Spring for me and a symbol of hope that warmer weather and longer days are coming. I've missed it's signal these last few years with Floriade being cancelled, but seeing it return this year I felt energised and comforted. I hope you too can find some moments of hope, comfort or renewed energy in your day. As always, we welcome your contact and the opportunity to support you in this.
With warmth,
Lisa Kelly
CEO
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COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment & Vaccine Updates
The ACT Government has released updates for people with a disability and their carers. Updates relating to antiviral treatments, and vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza are available on the Disability section of the COVID-19 website A
Find out more here: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/services-and-support/disability/information-for-people-with-disability#Vaccination
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Interview opportunity - adolescent violence against carers
The Youth Coalition is conducting a research project to better understand why young people may use violence (physical or non-physical) against their carers, particularly older carers. The purpose of the study is to understand the nature of the violence, the context in which it occurs, and barriers for carers accessing support.
We are inviting carers who have experienced adolescent violence to participate in a confidential interview about their experiences. Interview participants will receive $40 for providing their time. Interviews may be conducted in person, over the phone, or by video call.
Carers are eligible to participate if you:
- Live in the ACT or NSW
- Have experienced violence (physical or non-physical) from a young person aged 10-19 in your care
- Care arrangements may be formal (e.g. foster care or kinship care placements), or informal (e.g. as a grandparent); and could also include full-time or part-time care arrangements
For further information, questions, or to participate, please contact Dr Justin Barker on (02) 6247 3540 or justin@youthcoalition.net
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Book Now! Young Carers Night Off
At 6pm on Tuesday 30th August, Carers ACT and CYCLOPS are holding a “Young Carer Night Off”. This will be a free dinner at Grill’d in Civic for young carers aged 18-25. It can be busy to find time to socialise when busy balancing caring, study and/or work. This night is a chance for young carers to connect with those in similar circumstances and have a break. Please RSVP by emailing cyclops@anglicare.com.au
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Young Carer Bursary
There are a few weeks left to apply for the Young Carer Bursary! This is a program to support young carers around Australia to continue with their education. There are 1000 bursaries of $3000 each year, which can be used for education needs and resources. Applications for 2023 close on 13 September 2022.
For more information about the Young Carer Bursary, visit https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/bursary/young-carer-bursary/
If you would like advice or assistance with your application, please contact our Young Carer worker on 1800 960 990 or young.carers@carersact.org.au
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Outreach at Multicultural Expo
Carers ACT attended an expo hosted by Canberra Multicultural Community Forum this month. We took the opportunity to share information with expo attendees about the Carers Gateway, services and supports for carers and invite people to our events and multicultural social groups.
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Is Carer Coaching right for you?
Coaching provides carers with skills to assist them in their caring role, builds their capacity to self-identify needs and goals, enhances their capacity to self-manage, and offers them support and resources on a wide range of issues related to their caring role. Coaching can;
• Help you identify your needs
• Empower you
• Give you new strategies to support your own wellbeing.
Recently we have welcomed Minh to our coaching team. Minh is passionate about helping people to enhance their quality of life, promote and improve healthy lifestyle, self-esteem, resilience, and self-identity. She has a certificate IV in Mental Health/Community Service/Community Development and postgraduate in Rehabilitation Counselling. Minh also has work and volunteer experience in supporting people experiencing disadvantages. She is committed to create a non-judgemental, safe, and reflective space for carers to understand their own needs and to empower them to take positive steps towards their goals.
Interested in coaching but not sure if it is right for you? Ask your care planner for an introduction to a coach, and they can tell you more.
Here is a testimonal about our Carer Coaching Services...
“After balancing full time work with caring for both parents since 2014,
in late 2020 we received news of dad’s terminal illness. Soon after mum
became blind and both ended up in residential care. I made the tough
decision to leave a great job after 21 years to help them settle into care and
spend time with dad.
After dad’s passing, I found myself without a job and struggling to re-engage.
I decided to try coaching with Carers ACT to help with transitioning back into full time employment.
Coaching helped me cope with managing stress, navigating difficult situations
and building resilience to take on a new role. I was able to redefine my identity
after 21 years in a single organisation while managing my caring responsibilities. I would highly recommend using this service.”
Thank you April! I’m so grateful for your help!
~ Fiona, (new) Care Planner, Carers ACT
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Daffodil Day at the Cottages
Deakin Cottage and Naraganawali have been celebrating Daffodil Day this week.
Clients have been busy making paper daffodils and taking posies home to their carers to support lifesaving cancer research.
Many of our clients, carers and the family of staff have been affected by, or know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Joining together to make posies of daffodils and sharing an afternoon tea of homemade choc chip cookies put smiles on faces.
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Young Carer Social Group
Are you a young carer, or do you have one in your family? Carers ACT and CYCLOPS run monthly social groups for young carers during school terms. Under 16’s meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30-5pm. Over 16’s meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:30-5:30pm.
Come along to join in with a range of activities including cooking, board games, art, and playing Nintendo Switch! The Social Groups are a chance to get a break from your caring role and have time just to be “you”. Transport may be available on request for Under 16’s. RSVP to cyclops@anglicare.com.au
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A Good News Story - Gateway Team & AFP Collaboration
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) were recently called to a man who seemed to be confused and wondering around, having difficulties remembering where he lived. Once the AFP had found and returned him home safely, the AFP community engagement team reached out to Carer Gateway to connect this family to our support services.
The AFP engagement officer worked with a care planner to find appropriate services and to source an alarm with a built-in tracker so if the gentleman leaves the house again without his family, his carers can find him and bring him home safely. We also offered in home respite and social support while we helped connect the family to Dementia Australia and My Aged Care for ongoing services.
We have now built a great relationship with the AFP community engagement team to work in all areas with the Carer Gateway.
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About the Carer Gateway
The Carer Gateway (delivered by Carers ACT) 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 local care planners who will talk through what you need and help organise the right services and support to help you.
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The Policy and Advocacy team have completed several key submissions this month including;
- ACT Disability Strategy
- Input into Carers Australia's submission to the Productivity Commission on Carer leave.
- A response to the inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit's legislative, workplace governance and clinical frameworks.
We are delighted to have started to work with organisations keen to incorporate the Carer Recognition Act 2021 in their workplaces and have been talking with them about what a carer friendly organisation looks like for employees and for carers both visiting and using their service.
Thank you to those carers who participated in the National Carer Survey. We had a great response and this data highlights your issues and backs up our advocacy work.
Opportunities for Carers
The Policy and Advocacy team will be providing input in to the following topics and invite you to let us know what you think via carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au or provide your own input via the links.
- Complete the survey to help design ACT Health Services for a growing population as part of the ACT Government's consultation process: Designing ACT health services for a growing population Survey | Designing ACT health services for a growing population | YourSay ACT.
Carers can also put in a EOI to join the community panel to help design future integrated care solutions. Expressions of interest close 9th September: ACT Integrated Care Community Panel - Expression of Interest | Designing ACT health services for a growing population | YourSay ACT
- Carers can also provide an individual submission to the Senate Select Committee on Work and Care to let them know of the issues that impact carers and possible solutions. Submissions close 8th of September.Select Committee on Work and Care – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)
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