Carers SA have released their Northern Country Carers Newsletter for August 2010.
Carers of young people with mental health issues wanted to assist with GP education in Mental health
“Headstart” is a program designed to help GPs in South Australia understand some of the issues affecting Young People with mental health concerns. Carers of young people who have experienced mental health issues and attended GPs are sought for assistance.
Previous carers involved in the Headstart program have collaborated in the development of educational material as well as presenting their experiences as a carer in face-to-face education sessions.
“Headstart” plans to run in 4-8 locations in South Australia over the next twelve months. Assistants would be asked to participate in an orientation session as well as a negotiable number (3-8) of three hour sessions over this time.
Carers will receive compensation for their time and support with travel and meals.
If you can help with the above OR can recommend someone you think may be interested in assisting, please contact Headstart.
Contact Dr Sarah Lucy on 0428963074 or drsarahlucy@gmail.com.
Invite to carers to attend Forward Together Disability SA Conference
For the first time Disability SA are inviting clients, families and carers of people with disabilities to their bi-annual conference. The day for people with disability, families and carers is Wednesday 13 October 2010.
More information is available here www.sa.gov.au/disability/2010conference.
Investigating the role, experiences and quality of life of carers in SA
This survey will investigate the role, experiences and quality of life experienced by carers. Your input will provide an important insight into the impact (both positive and negative) that carers experience physically, emotionally, socially, professionally and financially.
All carers are welcome to complete the survey regardless of your age, or the age of the person you are caring for. Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary, confidential and anonymous. Undertaken through the Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care at Flinders University.
The survey can be completed at www.flinders.edu.au/medicine/sites/raec/carers-survey.cfm.
OR on paper: contact Associate Professor Julie Ratcliffe or Ms Leah Couzner 8275 1103, by email at julie.ratcliffe@health.sa.gov.au or leah.couzner@health.sa.gov.au.
MyTime Peer Support Groups
MyTime groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Socialise and share ideas and information with others who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a child with special needs.
Joining MyTime
Mothers, fathers and other family carers of children who are eligible to receive the Carer Allowance (Child) can join MyTime. For more information about eligibility for the Carer Allowance, visit www.centrelink.gov.au.
To find out about a MyTime peer support group in your local area
Visit the MyTime Group page. Click on your state and find a group close to you. Contact the facilitator listed to discuss group details.
To register your interest in a group
- Complete the expression of interest form
- phone 1800 889 997
- email mytime@parentingrc.org.au
Supporting carers of children and teenagers with disability
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP – Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Bill Shorten MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services have jointly issued a media release regarding funding to support carers of children and teenagers with disability.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
We would like to draw your attention to this story from The Australian newspaper: Help plea as carers take on needs of loved ones. The story outlines the plight of family carers and the push for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme go to http://www.ndis.org.au/.
The Productivity Commission’s Disability Care and Support Public Enquiry can be found here http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/disability-support.
The Disability Care and Support Issues paper can be found here http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/disability-support/issues.
Planning in Partnership Program
“What will happen when it becomes harder to care for my child?”
This program from UnitingCare Wesley Bowden assists older parent carers of a child with a disability (over 25), to plan and prepare ahead for a time when the caring role will change and an alternative care plan will be required. Information/Focus groups assist carers to find pathways into the planning process. (Carers over 65 or over 50 if Indigenous Australian).
CARER INFORMATION/FOCUS GROUPS TO COMMENCE
Wednesday 26th MAY 2010
at Northern Connections, 7 Philip Highway, Elizabeth.
Come to a series of 6 consecutive Wednesday morning groups for older carers (or those that interest you) and hear:
- A carer’s planning story
- Respite and Carelink and other community service/network links
- Information/speaker from Disability SA re accommodation/placement processes; or a visit to Mental Illness Fellowship of SA
- Legal Issues for carers
- Caring for the Carer
- Catered lunch provided at Groups 1 and 6
No cost—Respite and transport available.
Please register by contacting Kay or Kylie (North & West metro) 8346 8329 or 1800 052 222.
Young Carers Online Competition
Carers Australia are proud to announce the Young Carers Online Competition! Entry is open to all young people under the age of 26, who are young carers or who have been young carers. You can win one of 6 $250 JB Hi-Fi vouchers.
All you need to do is answer in 25 words or less, if you had 5 minutes with a politician, what would you tell them about the needs of young carers? Young carers are eligible to enter as many times as they like.
To enter, go to www.reachout.com/carers. The competition closes on Sunday May 9 2010 at midnight (EST). Competition terms and conditions are available on the website.
The competition is a partnership between Carers Australia and the Inspire Foundation (who host the Reach Out website). All entrants have the opportunity to receive a Young Carers Kit. Winners of the JB Hi-Fi vouchers will be determined by a judging panel that includes one young carer. All entries will be complied into a report to be presented to government.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Nicole Walker from Carers Australia on 02 6122 9916.
Digital Storytelling Workshop for young carers
In early April, Carers Australia and the Inspire Foundation hosted a Digital Storytelling Workshop for 6 young carers from remote areas of SA, NT and WA.
If you would like to check out the films, please go to the Reach Out You Tube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/user/ReachOutAus
or go to the Reach Out website
