Carer Gateway provides a range of free services and support just for carers. Services are delivered in-person, online and over the phone. Average wait time upon a self-referral is approximately two weeks.
Services include:
- In-person and online peer support groups – you might like to meet with people like you who care for someone and share stories, knowledge and experience. You can do this with people in your area or you can join the carer forum online.
- Tailored support packages – you may be able to get a range of practical supports like planned respite and transport services to help you in your caring role.
- In-person and phone counselling – if you are feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, a counsellor can talk with you either in person or over the phone in the comfort of your own home.
- In-person and online self-guided coaching – you can talk to a professional coach to reflect on your experience and needs, identify personal goals and create a plan to reach these goals, or you can work through interactive online coaching sessions at your own pace. There are a range of topics to help you in your caring role.
- Online skills courses to support your wellbeing and understanding of legal responsibilities relating to the caring role.
- Access to emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured. Service providers will find ways to look after the person you care for while you recover.
Click to visit Carer Gateway.
North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
The Connect is a warm and welcoming space for families, carers, supporters and kin of people challenged by mental health and/or alcohol and other drug use.
Services include:
- individual peer support
- family therapy
- educational sessions and group programs
- information, resources and practical support for health and wellbeing
Satellite service is available in Nillumbik by appointment.
Where: Eltham healthAbility
Address: 917 Main Road, Eltham
When: Fridays 9am-5pm
Click to visit The Connect.
Mind Australia
The Carer Helpline 1300 554 660 run by Mind Australia provides over-the-phone information and advice, as well as the range of services that Mind Australia have available for carers.
Banksia Palliative Care
In support of Carers, Banksia Palliative Care offers a broad range of programs that are available to those providing care and support. These include:
- Telephone counselling or support
- Carers Education Sessions
- Carers Circle Morning and Afternoon Teas
- Bereavement support.
Click to visit Banksia Palliative Care.
Different Journeys
Peer support social events are organised by Different Journeys for both Autistic teens, Autistic adults, their carer(s) and their families. It allows individuals to build transferable skillsets such as communication skills, social skills, ability to maintain more meaningful relationships and skills to access the community.
- Carers Cuppa is facilitated by carer peer support workers to provide 1:1 support, information and warm referrals to services for all local carers.
Where: Urban Grooves
Address: 99 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough
When: Monthly Mondays 10am-12pm
- Blokes Dinner in Lower Plenty (visit Different Journeys for more information)
Click to visit Different Journeys.
HealthAbility
HealthAbility runs carer support groups for people caring for older people and people with disabilities that can offer carers the opportunity to:
- Learn new information and hear from speakers to support you in your carer role.
- Meet other carers, listen to and share experiences, as you feel comfortable.
- Learn from others (including young carers and unpaid carers) in a supportive environment.
- Experience and develop skills in relaxation and mindfulness.
- Provide respite, information, and support for family carers in a relaxed, friendly environment
Click to visit healthAbility.
Memory Care Café
A friendly, safe and relaxed place where people with memory loss or impairment and their carers can come together for social connection and supporting each other.
Hurstbridge
Hurstbridge Community Hub
50 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge
Mondays 1.30pm-3.00pm
Eltham
St Margaret’s Anglican Church Hall
78-81 Pitt St, Eltham
Fortnightly 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month. 1:30 - 3:00pm
Diamond Creek
St John’s Anglican Church Hall
61 Main St, Diamond Creek
Fortnightly 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. 1:30 – 3:00pm
Family Relationship Support for Carers (FRSC) offered by EACH provides specialised support to families caring for someone with a disability.
Services include:
- Counselling Services: FRSC can arrange counselling services to assist individuals, couples, and families to work through issues connected to their caring roles. Counselling services are provided by contracted counsellors who are qualified and appropriately skilled in their field. Counselling may be delivered face to face, telephone, Skype, or Zoom.
- Community Education: FRSC run group workshops and forums for carers and parents, which are tailored to enhance family relationships, self-care, and coping strategies to enable them to continue their caring roles. Group education also provides information and opportunities to link in with other services in the community and foster peer support.
- Future Planning Forums: are organised by FRSC for carers and parents to gain legal knowledge, and start the process of making Wills, Powers of Attorney, setting up the Special Disability Trust and other Trusts.
- Family Mediation: Supports families to resolve any conflict within the family that may be associated with cultural and generational issues and the future care of their loved ones.
- Wills & Estate Forums: The Family Relationship Support for Carers Service regularly partners with local councils and Carer-focused services to run Wills & Estate Forums presented by Dilan De Silva from Kerr and Thomas Lawyers in the Eastern Region.
Click to visit Family Relationship Support for Carers.
MyTime
MyTime groups are for all parents and carers of children under the age of 18 who need a higher level of care than other children. This might be because of disability, chronic medical condition, or other additional needs including developmental delay.
By talking about their experiences and listening to each other without judgement, members share their highs and lows, including how they have navigated challenges. Through this, they build connections with people in similar situations, which can lead to an increased sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Members get to plan the group sessions around their specific needs as carers. Each group has between 4 and 12 members, who usually meet once a week for 2 hours during school term. It’s not necessary to attend every session – members choose to go when they have time.
Preshool-age children are welcome to attend. A play leader will be on hand to engage these children in play.
Where: Warrandye Community Church – 57 Yarra St, Warrandyte 3113
When: Fortnightly Fridays 9.30-11.30am
Phone: 0413 655 659