A FREE online four-week program for carers by Carers Victoria

We know that people who provide care for a loved one often experience loneliness and can feel isolated. The challenges of COVID-19 have only made this more difficult. If this sounds familiar, this program may be right for you.

Carers Victoria, supported by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, has developed a four-week online program called Carer Wellbeing and Connection. This program has been co-designed with carers, to help you build the confidence and strength to address some of the challenges that carers face.

The program runs over four consecutive weeks. It consists of a series of online therapeutic group sessions of approximately 90-minutes that will help you better understand connectedness and personal wellbeing. The program is facilitated by an experienced mental health professional and group numbers are kept small to maintain a safe and supportive environment.

The University of Melbourne evaluated the Carer Wellbeing and Connection program throughout 2020–23, the results of which showed a clinically meaningful reduction in participants’ psychological distress (as scored by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K10+).

Carers who participated in the program have said:

Program details and eligibility

To participate you must:

• Be a carer or bereaved carer (between 3 months and 2 years);
• Have a willingness to attend all four-weeks; as groups are small;
• Have the ability to attend online (i.e., have a computer with audio/camera and internet connection). Programs are delivered utilising online platform Zoom;
• Proficiency in English;
• Have NOT completed the program before.

Priority given to carers living, working, studying, or who have other connections in North Western Metropolitan region of Melbourne, including the following local government areas: Brimbank, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Wyndham, Macedon Ranges, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley, Moorabool, Merri-Bek (formerly; Moreland) and Yarra. Please note, this is due to program funding requirements. Please let us know if you live outside the north west metro region, but have a connection to any of the above areas.

Registrations now open

Group B
(Carers of someone on the Autism Spectrum)

Beginning 16 April 2024
Four Tuesday afternoon sessions

1.30pm – 3.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

Group C
(Carers of someone with Mental Health condition)

Beginning 16 April 2024
Four Tuesday evening sessions

6.30pm – 8.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

Group D
(Open to ALL Carers)

Beginning 17 April 2024
Four Wednesday morning sessions

10.30am – 12.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

Group for Bereaved Carers – Coming up in June 2024

We will also be delivering a tailored group in June 2024 specifically for Bereaved Carers (where the person being cared for has passed away). If this applies to you, we are very sorry for your loss and hope this group may be of benefit to you. Please register your interest to find out more, or reach out if you have any questions.

Group for Bereaved Carers
(bereaved not less than 3 months)

Beginning 5 June 2024
Four Wednesday morning sessions

10.30am – 12.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

For more information

To find out more information please email us intouch@carersvictoria.org.au