National Carers Week 2019

National Carers Week 2019 was held on 13 – 19 October, and was a time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid carers make to our community.

It was wonderful to see so many people take part in National Carers Week, including Ministers, Shadow ministers, politicians and peak bodies who attended a breakfast event hosted by Carers Australia at Parliament House, Canberra. Our thanks to Merck for supporting this event.

This year we asked Australians to Tell Us Why You Care and were overwhelmed with the many heartfelt stories from our community of carers, as well as from other Australians who acknowledged their remarkable efforts. The stories are available to read online here.

 
divider
 

Moana Hope and Mat Rogers - our National Carers Week Ambassadors

This year’s National Carers Week campaign featured high-profile ambassadors who showcase how caring can take many different forms.

Our first ambassador was former Survivor contestant and AFLW star, Moana Hope, who provides unpaid care for her sister Vinny, who has Moebius syndrome.

“To know that I can help Vinnie, and to make a difference in her life and have her for the rest of my life makes me feel lucky. I’m pretty proud to be a carer,” Moana said.

Our second ambassador was sporting legend Mat Rogers who, along with his wife Chloe Maxwell, provides care for their son, Max, who lives with autism.

“Australia as a country should care about our carers because at some point in your life you’re either going to be one, or you’re going to need one,” Mat said.

You can see all the videos featuring Moana Hope and Mat Rogers here.

 
divider
 

Maven Dental Day 2019

Carers Australia would like to say a huge thank you to Maven Dental for Maven Dental Day 2019.

As part of National Carers Week, Maven Dental offered a free dental exam, x-ray and clean to unpaid carers across Australia. It was a great chance for carers to take a little time out for themselves while learning how to fit dental care into their busy lives.

Over 200 carers took part in Maven Dental Day which resulted in over $75,000 worth of dental care being donated to carers.

 
divider
 

Shout Out to Young Carers

We were delighted to join Carers ACT to celebrate young carers at our Shout Out To Young Carers event in the centre of Canberra during National Carers Week!

It was wonderful to see so many young carers enjoying the live music, food, photobooth and jumping castle, and to welcome so many other attendees, including the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP; ACT Minister, Suzanne Orr MLA; ACT Minister, Shane Rattenbury MLA, and Caroline Le Couteur MLA, who all took the time to chat with our young carers about the issues that matter to them.

Don’t forget to sign up for our new online tool to help young carers raise awareness among teachers. HEADS UP lets you send an anonymous email to teachers, letting them know that they have a young carer in their school and the ways in which they can support them.

 
divider
 

NDIS Minister acknowledges role of carers

During National Carers Week, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, spoke at our Parliamentary Breakfast event, acknowledging the contribution of unpaid carers and their role in the NDIS.

Minister Robert told the audience of carers, peak bodies and government representatives that NDIS planners should be consistently applying reasonable and necessary supports, including those for carers, when developing or reviewing plans. The Minister confirmed that he has directed ‘respite’ to be reinstated into NDIS language representing a major breakthrough in recognising that respite falls within the definition of reasonable supports for families and carers.

 
divider
 

CarerHelp launch

Carers Australia was pleased to join St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Flinders University and the University of Technology Sydney at Parliament House Canberra to launch CarerHelp during National Carers Week. The launch was attended by Shadow Assistant Minister for Carers, Emma McBride MP, as well as a number of carers and peak bodies.

Caring for someone at the end of their life is a very important role. CarerHelp is an online tool which aims to empower carers to cope with the hard times and make space for good times as well. When carers feel ready for their role, everybody benefits.

Head to the CarerHelp website to learn more.

 
divider
 

World Mental Health Day 2019

Carers Australia joined more than 400 organisations across Australia to recognise World Mental Health Day in early October.

A particular theme this year was reducing the social stigma attached to mental illness. This stigma not only affects people experiencing and exhibiting psycho-social disability, but is also often felt by the family and friends who care for them. It is a major cause of social isolation which, in itself, contributes to mental health problems.

According to the 2015 Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, over a third of the population of primary carers who lived with the person they cared for were caring for someone with a mental and behavioural disorder. This group of primary carers also provided the most hours of care.

 
divider
 
bottom left bottom right