'The Voice' Blog August 2024

Welcome to the August Edition of the Voice

CEO Message

Hello everyone,

I know that sometimes it can feel like the views of carers are not considered, so it’s been great to see a range of opportunities arise at the national level for carers to have a say.

Thanks to the almost 3,000 Victorian carers who responded to the National Carer Survey! This is a huge increase on previous response rates – the data from which is going to be influential for the coming years.

We are pleased to report the Australian Department of Social Services (DSS) is currently developing a National Carer Strategy. There have been various options for carers to participate in consultations for that work, with DSS announcing in late July there would be some further sessions in August. If you haven’t already registered, see the article below for more information on how you can be involved.

Carers Victoria, along with a number of other organisations working with Victorian carers, will be running roundtables and consultations over August–September to provide further opportunities for carers to have a say and shape the refresh of the Victorian Carer Strategy. Many of you may have heard me say that one of Carers Victoria’s goals is to make it impossible for carers to be overlooked, and we will keep working on ways to lift the collective voice of carers to a roar. Thanks to you all for doing your bit to build towards that roar!

Take care all,
Judith

Raise Issues Important to You via our Online Hub

Do you want to influence change for carers?

Carers Victoria is often approached by universities, peak bodies and other not for profit organisations who want to get carers’ views on work they are doing.

If you would be interested in receiving information about these opportunities, go to our Have Your Say page on our website and let us know what you’re interested in. It’s another way that you can have a say and in doing so, help to build an evidence-base for better carer support, inform policy and decision making, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for everyone in the carer community.

National Carer Strategy Consultation Schedule

In late July the Department of Social Services announced further opportunities for individual carers to attend consultations and inform the National Carer Strategy – and they've already started!

Consultations are running through to September. 

Participants will receive a $30 gift voucher as a gesture of appreciation. These consultations are managed by Deloitte, please email any questions to them at: carerconsultation@deloitte.com.au

What’s On In August 2024

Whether you would like to meet like-minded carers in a social setting or want to build your knowledge and skills online – we’ve got something for you!

Visit our What’s On calendar to explore what we have on offer. All events are free of charge, but places are limited, so don’t forget to register via the links below.
 

Find out what’s happening:
 

Carer Support Group Facilitator Training Online – For Volunteers

Have you recently established a Carer Support Group? Or do you organise, facilitate, or participate in a volunteer-led committee?

Our Carer Support Group Facilitator Training will equip you with the knowledge and skills for this role. The program provides you with a high-level overview of key theory and practices of establishing and facilitating a group.

This program is run online over two sessions in August. Please note this training is for unpaid, volunteer facilitators and carers.

Communicating with Professionals Online Workshop

Carers tell us communicating with professionals and services can be overwhelming and frustrating. 

This workshop offers practical strategies to communicate effectively and better advocate for the person you care for. We’ll assist you to build your confidence and skills in a safe and supportive environment.

The workshop is open to all carers and families, and is particularly helpful if you feel unheard or lack confidence in communicating with professionals.

Help with Your Energy Bills

A new report highlights that thousands of Victorians – including carers – are struggling to afford surging energy costs. 

The Consumer Action Law Centre’s Energy Assistance Report outlines some of the ways people struggle to pay their energy bills and manage debt including unsustainable payment plans, unexpectedly large bills and unforeseen circumstances.

If you are struggling with the cost of your energy or other utility bills, you may be eligible to apply for energy concessions or grants. The Law Centre also provides a range of free and confidential support options, including a National Debt Helpline (NDH), financial counselling, resources and debt advice.

Specific Energy Concessions for Carers

People who hold concession cards such as the Centrelink Pension, Veterans Affairs Pension or Gold Card, or Centrelink Health Care Card may be eligible for:

• Annual electricity concession
• Winter gas concession
• Excess energy concession (for those using life support or medical cooling equipment).

You can apply for these concessions through your utility company. In some instances, they can be backdated up to 12 months if they weren’t already applied to your energy or water bill.

Utility Relief Grant Schemes

The utility relief grant scheme and utility relief grant scheme (non mains) are for people who are temporarily struggling to afford their energy, gas or water bills and may be at risk of disconnection or restriction. Phone your utility retailer to request an application.

Find information about eligibility at: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme

Retirement Village Residents

If you or someone you care for resides in a lifestyle or retirement village, the village management will typically apply for the concession on behalf of residents. In this instance, they collect the concession card information when residents move in and ask for consent to apply on their behalf. The village will apply at the end of each year for all eligible residents. If you are unsure, contact your village management team for more information.

Get Support

The Victorian Energy and Water Ombudsman can help if you have unsuccessfully tried to have concessions applied to your account. Find out more: www.ewov.com.au/common-complaints/trouble-paying-a-bill

If you are not eligible for a concession, but still finding it hard to manage household bills you can get free support by phoning the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. Self-help tools and resources are also available through the Consumer Action Law Centre and the National Debt Helpline websites.

Number of Carers Increasing

There are now three million unpaid carers in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) data released in July.

Victoria has the second largest carer population in the country, after New South Wales. With SDAC data reporting 758,500 Victorians are carers, which is an increase of almost 10 per cent compared to the previous survey done in 2018.

Almost 300,000 Victorian carers identified as primary carers, that is the person who provides most of the assistance with core activities such as mobility, self-care and communication.

Of primary carers, 68 per cent are women. However, there has been an increase in the number of men undertaking care roles overall. For Victoria, the data breakdown is:

• 54% of carers are women
• 46% of carers are men.

The rising number of carers is not surprising given the increasing number of Australians living with disability or aged 65 years and over. The SDAC findings are vital to inform the conversation on the role carers play across the country and in developing the National Carer Strategy.

Special Recognition for Victoria’s Young Carers

The contributions of young carers were recognised with the awarding of the Carers Victoria Young Carer Scholarships at a ceremony in July. Following the ceremony held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne, attendees were invited to visit the “Beings” exhibition at ACMI in Federation Square.

For many young people, having carer responsibilities is not an expected part of their daily lives. However, that is not the case for over 62,000 young carers in Victoria who are playing that critical role in their families.

In addressing the attendees, Carers Victoria’s CEO, Judith Abbott said, ‘Currently, 1 in 11 carers in Victoria are under 25 years old. In this figure we estimate approximately 12% are caring for more than one person.’

‘Under our Young Carer Scholarship Program these remarkable young carers have the opportunity to apply for up to $500 to participate in activities, buy school equipment, arrange driving lessons or a special personal item that they otherwise may not be able to buy,’ she said.

This year, the Scholarship Program was supported thanks to the generosity of the Collie Foundation. We were proud to present 144 young carers with a Scholarship, a significant increase on the 115 awarded last year.

The Carers Victoria Young Carer Scholarship program gives some of those young carers the chance to engage in school or community-based activities that may otherwise have been out of their reach.

Competition

Flight Centre Competition Closing Soon

Dreaming of a family holiday? Enter our Flight Centre competition to make your dreams a reality!

You could be in the running to receive a $1,500 Flight Centre gift card. But hurry — the competition closes at midnight 31 August 2024.

Our competitions are open to all Carers Victoria members. Not a member yet? Don’t worry, becoming a member is free and easy. Visit our membership page to join our caring community and enter now!

Terms and Conditions apply.

Competition

Play for Purpose Raffle #24 – Weekend Adventures Await!

Have you got your tickets for the Play for Purpose Raffle #24 yet? You could be taking home the $250K first prize pack which includes a go-anywhere Land Rover 110 and $100K in cashable gold bullion!

This incredible first prize pack also includes over $10K in shopping vouchers for you to spend as you please.

Carers Victoria partners with Play for Purpose raffles as part of our fundraising efforts. That means a portion of every $10 ticket you purchase will go directly towards supporting Victorian carers like you.

So, what are you waiting for?

Terms and Conditions apply.

Membership

Encourage a Carer to Connect with Carers Victoria

Do you know someone in a caring role who could benefit from being a Carers Victoria member? Some people become carers gradually over time, while for others it can happen suddenly. This sometimes means people don’t identify as a carer right away.

If you have a friend, a colleague or family member in a caring role, please encourage them to connect with us. You could forward on this newsletter or link them in through our socials @CarersVictoria.

Membership is free and provides access to useful information and tips, fully funded events and activities specifically tailored to carer needs.

Benefits include:

• exclusive invitations to events where you meet other carers such as our popular Mingles, carer workshops and programs
• championing for real change through consultations, focus groups and research
• this monthly eBulletin jam-packed with important carer issues, events and stories
• digital access to the Australian Carers Guide magazine
• special member offers and discounts on goods and services including Hoyts movie tickets, Accor accommodation, and Meal Care (formerly Live Life Foods) pre-packaged meals.

Carer Story

Dalphne’s Story

Cultural differences in discussing mental illness made it difficult for Dalphne to accept her adult daughter’s borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis. Fifteen years on, Dalphne joined Carers Victoria’s Writing with Purpose program, in the hope that sharing her story would help to break down stigma and encourage others to feel safe talking about mental illness.

‘For more than fifteen years I have been a carer for my daughter with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and also for my grandson who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder,’ Dalphne says. ‘I’ve found my role as a carer both challenging and rewarding.’

Every day involves navigating the emotional highs and lows that come with BPD, offering consistent support, understanding and patience. Over time, Dalphne discovered new skills as a carer, including considerable growth in trust and connection with her daughter.

‘Initially, I was extremely uncertain when I took on my carer duty. I had no knowledge and was struggling to understand the intense psychological and physical behaviours my daughter exhibited daily.’

When asked what advice she would give to other carers, Dalphne simply encourages them not to be afraid to speak about their experiences.

Carer Stories

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

Some carers feel sharing their story with others is beneficial – for them and other carers.

Are you interested in sharing your carer story? You can write your story yourself or answer the questions below, which we will use to write your story for you. Not all stories will be shared on the website. However, with your permission, we may share your story in future campaigns, policy and advocacy work.

• Topic: My carer story
• Length: No longer than 400 words
• Format: Type your story in an email or a Word document, addressing the following:
  - What can you tell us about your caring journey?
  - Are there particular challenges you face in your role?
  - Do you have any advice or tips you’d share with a new carer?
• Need inspiration? See other stories that have been written here. 
• Submission process: Please email your story to eBulletin@carersvictoria.org.au
• What if your story is chosen? Your story will be edited and returned to you to make sure you are happy with the final version before it is published on our website. We may also ask for accompanying images to be shared with your permission.

If you have any questions, please email: eBulletin@carersvictoria.org.au 

We look forward to hearing more about your experience as a carer.