'The Voice' Blog October 2024

Welcome to the October Edition of the Voice

CEO Message

Hello everyone,

National Carers Week kicks off on 13 October and runs through to 19 October 2024. It’s a time when we encourage people across our community to recognise and celebrate the contribution of carers through a mix of public awareness raising, political engagement, and events for carers themselves.

We’re launching National Carers Week in Victoria with a special event where Ros Spence, Minister for Carers and Volunteers will announce the recipients of Carers Victoria’s Connecting Carers in their Community 2024 grants round.

Carers Victoria has also funded over 120 Carer Support Groups to run local events throughout the week. Across the sector, organisations are hosting events to mark the week and celebrate the impact carers have on our community. Scroll down and have a look at our What’s On calendar to see what’s coming up in your local area.

Thanks again to all of you who completed the Australian Carer Wellbeing survey in early 2024, and/or the National Carer Survey more recently. New carer data is due to be released during National Carers Week and we’ll share that as it becomes available. With a National Carer Strategy under development and a refresh of the Victorian Carer Strategy also in train, it’s a great time to have that data to underpin our asks for practical changes that can improve the lives of Victorian carers.

Best regards,
Judith

Show Your Support with our Care For A Carer Campaign

This National Carers Week we’re encouraging all Victorians – individuals, organisations and government bodies – to acknowledge and support carers with the #CareForACarer campaign.

How can you take part?

• Commit to caring for a carer by taking small but powerful actions: check in regularly, offer a break, acknowledge and appreciate, or initiate support.
• Lead by example: take an image of your act caring for a carer, and post on socials tagging @CarersVictoria and using #CareForACarer.
• Spread the word by sharing one of our posts or resources (download our Stakeholder Kit).

What’s On In October 2024

Our October calendar is jam-packed with events for National Carers Week and beyond!

Visit our What’s On calendar to explore what we have on offer online and in your local area. All events are free of charge, but places are limited, so don’t forget to register.
 

Find out what’s happening:
 

National Carers Week Online Trivia Event

This National Carers Week, Carers Victoria is holding two online trivia events designed just for Victorian carers!

Hosted by the fabulous trivia specialists Grape Vine Events, these events are our way of recognising and celebrating carers like you.

What to expect:

• Fun trivia: test your knowledge with a range of entertaining general trivia questions
• Exciting prizes: trivia aficionados can win fabulous Prezzee gift vouchers
• Connect and celebrate: enjoy a social experience with fellow carers

Ready to play? Join in the fun!

Wednesday 16 October
7.00pm - 8.30pm

Thursday 17 October
10.00am - 11.30am

Light-up Victoria

With the support of various partners across the state, we are lighting up key regional and metropolitan landmarks in Carers Victoria’s brand colours of red, white and blue, over National Carers Week.

• AAMI Park
• Deakin University - Burwood Campus
• Moonee Ponds Clocktower
• Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay
• Monash Park Tree and Mooroopna Water Tower in Shepparton

As further organisations jump on board, we will update our website, so stay tuned!

Ask an Expert: Accessing Aged Care

This month, we’re pleased to announce a new event in our online Ask an Expert series: Accessing Aged Care Support on Thursday 31 October.

Guest speakers from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care will provide carers with an introduction to the aged care system, services and supports.

Our Ask an Expert series is an opportunity for carers to hear from and engage with subject matter experts. You will have the option to submit a question at the time of registration. Guest speakers will also respond to as many live questions as possible during the session.

Our Submission to the National Carer Strategy Consultation

In last month’s edition of The Voice, we shared news of the Australian Government’s public consultation process to develop a new National Carer Strategy. Carers Victoria provided a submission to the consultation which you can read here.

Our submission was based on the generous feedback we heard from many carers about the key issues for them, and ideas for improvement. We thank everyone who shared their views and perspectives with us.

In our submission we made the following suggestions reflecting what carers have told us are critically important:

• a set of principles which put carers front and centre in all aspects of the Strategy
• more timely and person-centred supports for carers including access to respite and peer support
• greater recognition of the diversity of carer experience
• improved system connections so that carers can navigate services more easily and quickly and get the help they need when and where they need it
• more flexible arrangements to support carers to undertake study and employment
• tackling the significant cost of living issues faced by many carers through more financial support such as concessions and carer payments.

The Australian Government is expected to release a draft National Carer Strategy for feedback later this year. Carers Victoria looks forward to continuing to play an active role in creating a National Carer Strategy that drives practical and meaningful actions to support carers in their caring roles.

Mental Health Month

Did you know that October is Mental Health Month? This national event aims to improve awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing – promoting better mental health for all.

We know that many carers support friends and family with mental health challenges, as well as reporting the impact the caring role has on their own mental health and wellbeing.

To better support these carers, Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres have been established across Victoria. These are a new service dedicated to those carers who support people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.

In September, Carers Victoria was proud to deliver an Ask an Expert session in partnership with two Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect providers. We are very grateful for the support from our colleagues at the Western (metro) service, provided by Jesuit Social Services, and the Northeast (metro) service, provided in partnership by four community organisations.

If you missed the session, don’t worry! You can find out about the services and supports available at your nearest centre, by visiting: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-connect

Brimbank Carers Space Now Open

In early September, Carers Victoria was pleased to see the launch of the Brimbank Carers space.

The venue, which is located in the Keilor Downs Community Centre, was developed with the support of local carers in a co-design approach.

The multi-purpose space offers a range of resources for carers in the Brimbank area. Features include access to technology and professional advice from carer organisations, as well as free spaces for peer support, carer support groups, education and respite programs.

Local carers or service providers wanting to connect with the space can contact the Brimbank Community Support Team on 03 9249 4974 and CommunitySupport@brimbank.vic.gov.au.

Competition

Take a Break with a $500 Accor Gift Card!

Looking after your own wellbeing is essential when you’re a carer.

Carers Victoria has partnered with Accor, the world leading hospitality group, to provide discounted accommodation for unpaid carers in Victoria. Visit their dedicated Carers Victoria search and booking page to access the discounts on offer to our members.

We’re offering one lucky carer the chance to win an Accor accommodation gift card to the value of $500! The gift card is valid at any of Accor’s participating hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Enter now to be in the running for a well-deserved break. Don't miss out on your chance to win!

The competition closes at midnight 31 October 2024.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Competition

Play for Purpose Raffle #25 – Now open!

Would you like to win a feel good $250K first prize pack? Imagine cruising the open road in luxury or zipping around town in your brand-new BMW X4 or all-electric Mini Cooper SE!

Plus, this incredible $250K first prize pack includes over $60K of cashable gold bullion for you to spend, save or invest as you please.

Don’t miss your chance to win it all with a $10 ticket today! Every ticket purchased through Carers Victoria will raise funds to support Victorian carers like you.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Winners are Grinners

A big congratulations to the winner of our Flight Centre competition, Ashlee F. of Narre Warren.

We also extend congratulations to the winners of our National Carer Survey Prezzee Gift Voucher prize draw, Alison C. of Warrnambool, Ron S. of Kensington, and Jennifer G. of Dandenong.

Membership

Encourage Carers to Connect with us

Do you know someone in a caring role who could benefit from being a Carers Victoria member? Encourage them to connect with us!

Membership benefits include:

• access to events and workshops with other carers
• championing for change through consultations
• this monthly eBulletin full of carer news and resources
• digital access to the Australian Carers Guide magazine
• special member offers and discounts on goods and services

Carer Story

Sandra’s Story

Over several years, Sandra saw her husband go through many challenges with his health, work, and lack of social connection. His ongoing anxiety and depression, linked to long-standing chronic pain and a shoulder injury, left him with an addiction to painkillers, and led to a psychotic episode.

Now, years later, Sandra recognises that stress and life events exacerbate her husband’s mental health issues, but she didn’t always see this pattern.

After a particularly stressful two years, Sandra developed adrenal fatigue, anxiety and depression from the stress of her caring role.

‘I didn’t know I was a carer. I was just trying to help my family get by. After something helped me realise I was a carer, I went on a carers’ day out to the hot springs and sat shaking at the end of the day. I’d been completely relaxed for the first time in years and didn’t want to go home,’ she says.

Joining a local mental health carer support group, Grow – Better Together, was the start of Sandra prioritising her own wellbeing.

Carer Stories

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

You are welcome to write your carer story yourself or answer some questions, which we will use to write your story for you. Not all stories will be chosen for the website. However, with your permission, we may share your story in future campaigns, policy and advocacy work.

Follow the link to find out how you can share your story.

• 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. 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.