October E-bulletin
Carers Week 2014
Carers Week 2014 is running from Sunday 12th to Saturday 18th October. To celebrate Carers
Week, Carers WA is hosting two Carers Week Events:

Monday 13th – Friday 17th October: Murray Street Mall Information Display, Perth City.
Carers WA will have a marquee in the Murray Street Mall (near Forrest Chase) in Perth City.
Visit our marquee to learn more about Carers WA and the services we provide, plus participate
in some fun activities and competitions and receive free giveaways! We will be there from 8am
to 4pm each day.

Saturday 18th October: Carers Week Health & Wellbeing Expo, 10am – 2pm at West Coast
Institute, Joondalup. Free health checks, hand massages, kids activities, morning tea and
lunch! Plus, free giveaways and competitions including the chance to win an iPad Mini. Tickets
are free – family members welcome!
For more information, or to secure your tickets for the Expo, please call 1300 CARERS (1300 227
377) or visit our website. A full list of Carers Week events occurring across WA is available on our
website.
Carers Week 2014 in WA is proudly funded by Lotterywest and Department of Local Government
and Communities.
Notice of the Carers WA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Carers WA 2014 AGM will be held on Monday 27th October 2014 at 10.00am at the Carer
Centre, 182 Lord Street Perth with morning tea to follow. The two guest speakers discussing
topics pertinent to carers are Mr David Templeman MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government;
Community Services; Peel Opposition Whip and Mary Deschamp, Chairperson – Carers Advisory
Council.
If you would like to attend the AGM please RSVP to Carmen Friesema by Friday 17 th October
2014 either by email [email protected] or phone 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377).
Carers WA travel to Bunbury Hospital
The Carers WA Prepare to Care team will be travelling to Bunbury Hospital on Tuesday 21 st
October to run education sessions for hospital staff.
There will be some new Carers Corners springing up around the hospital in the near future with
posters and envelopes at each site, as well as the new booklets and envelopes on some of the
wards.
If you see any of them, please have a browse! The new booklet has a Carers Survey on the back
page and we would appreciate if you would take the time to fill in the survey and return it to us.
Your views and thoughts will then help us to feed back to hospitals regarding their involvement of
carers.
Free Carer Workshops in Applecross
Due to the overwhelming popularity of our carer workshops in Applecross, we now have two
sessions available on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th October. These workshops are free and run
from 10.00am - 2.00pm, including lunch and tea/coffee.
These sessions are a great opportunity to take some time out and think about ways to balance
care with self-care. Bookings are essential as places are limited. For more information, contact the
Carers WA Events Team on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) or email [email protected]
Family Carers Information Forum - Victoria Park
Wednesday 26th November, 9.30am - 1.00pm
Come along with friends and family and learn about the role of a carer and the supports and
services Carers WA provides. Service providers will be present to give carers a short overview of
their services followed by time to talk one on one, browse information stalls and enjoy morning tea.
For more information call Carers WA on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) or email
[email protected]
Free Carer Cooking Demonstration
Friday 24th October, 10.00am - 12.30pm.
The Carers Centre, 182 Lord Street, Perth.
Come along and learn about how good nutrition can help carers in their caring role! This workshop
includes some great budgeting tips, new family recipes, a cooking demonstration and a light lunch,
enjoying the food we have cooked! For more information call Carers WA on 1300 CARERS (1300
227 377) or email [email protected]
Free Carer Workshop - Esperance
Wednesday 3rd December, 9.00am – 1.00pm.
Accessing the right help can significantly impact on a carer‟s ability to cope with all the challenges
they face in their day to day lives. This workshop is aimed at providing carers with information on
what support and services are available. For more information, call Carers WA on 1300 CARERS
(1300 227 377) or email [email protected]
Linking Together Younger & Working Female Carers
Carers WA offer our younger and working female carers the opportunity to get together and do
“girly things” with other like-minded ladies who are all going through a similar journey.
Due to family or work commitments, younger and working female carers (25 – 55 years) are
usually under-represented at Carers WA events; however Carers WA actively encourages this
groups participation through regular Linking Together carer events such as movies, coffee
mornings and dinners. This September, the ladies got together for coffee, movie and lunch in
Midland and then again for a Friday evening dinner in Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley.
All our social and peer support events are designed to be easily accessible to the carer; relaxed,
friendly, and supportive. For more information, call Carers WA on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377)
or email [email protected]
Carers WA Counselling Services
The Counselling team at Carers WA provide counselling Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm via:

Telephone counselling – easily accessible, free (from landline), one-off/ongoing counselling
where carers may choose to stay anonymous.

Face-to-face counselling – low-cost sessions are offered in a safe space in East Perth,
Kingsley, Joondalup, Midland, Rockingham, Gosnells and Fremantle.

Skype & E-mail counselling – easily accessible, free ongoing counselling.

Evening counselling – available on Thursdays until 7.00pm.
For support or further enquiries please call the Carers WA Counselling Line on 1800 007 332.
Do you want to make a difference at Fremantle Hospital?
Fremantle Hospital & Health Service (FHHS) – Community Advisory Council is looking for a carer
who would like to work in partnership with their health service staff to ensure that the carer voice is
heard, acknowledged and valued in the development and delivery of FHHS services.
Carers WA can provide orientation and training, ongoing support, access to staff with policy and
clinical expertise, as well as a peer support network of carer representatives. A participation
payment for time spent in meetings and travel reimbursements is also available.
If you are interested, please contact Henny Biczi on 9228 7408 or email
[email protected]
Carers WA events in the Great Southern Region
Carer Introduction Meditation and Relaxation Course
Commences Wednesday 15th October, 6.00 -7.00pm
Albany carers are invited to attend a 9 week meditation and relaxation course
Albany Weekly Walking Group
Re-commences Friday 17th October
Meet at the Gazebo Middleton Beach at 9am for 9:15 start on the boardwalk. Dogs and prams
welcome.
Carer Relaxation Session – ‘The Cone, The Gong and The Bowl’
Friday 24th October, 10.00am
Albany carers are invited to attend a gong meditation session and light lunch at the Sandalwood
Factory.
Albany Carer Movie Event
Tuesday 11th November, Orana Cinemas Albany
Time (evening) and movie to be confirmed once timetable is available
Free movie ticket provided. Snacks can be purchased at carers own expense.
For more information on any of these events please contact Jen Dodson, Carers WA Regional
Care Coordinator on 0400 840 611 or email [email protected]. To register call 1300
CARERS (1300 227 377) and ask for Patricia.
Better Start Workshop Update
Better Start workshops provide information on resources, funding, transitioning to school, and
support services for families. The workshops are FREE and include a light lunch and tea/coffee.
The next workshop will be in Caversham on Wednesday 22nd October, from 9.45am – 2.00pm.
Please book early as there are only 10 places available. For more information and to register, call
1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) or email [email protected]
Carers WA is now on Facebook!
Carers WA has our very own Facebook page! Join up as a follower by „liking‟ our page. „Liking‟ our
Facebook page will keep you updated on what‟s happening around the state and nationally,
including a range of information and events which may assist you, your family or friends. The page
will also provide you with links to a community of people from all walks of life, many of whom share
something in common – their caring role. To join, simply search for Carers WA or click on the link
below.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carers-WA/444158565618199
Please ensure you read our social media disclaimer before joining our Facebook page.
Carers Future Planning Session 2014
Tuesday 14th October, 9.30am at Redcliffe Park Community Centre, Corner Morgan Road/Field
Avenue, Redcliffe
Carers are invited to attend a future planning session to learn about Enduring Powers of Attorney
and Guardianship, Advanced Health Directives, the role of the Public Advocate, wills and the
administration of deceased estates. To register for this event please visit
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=96588.
For more information, contact Jo Brooker, Department of Local Government and Communities on
08 6551 8320 or email [email protected]
Carers Recognition Day at PMH
Wednesday15th October, 11.00am - 2.00pm
Telethon Theatre and Megazone, Level 7, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
As part of National Carers Week, all carers are invited to attend the „Carers Recognition Day at
PMH‟. Entertainment will include mini facials, head and neck massages, singing and magician
acts, and a BBQ lunch.
For more information or to RSVP please contact Eileen Garside, LINC Coordinator on 0420 967
802.
Carers Big Day Out
Wednesday 15th October, 10.00am - 2.00pm
Scarborough Community Centre
Carers are invited to attend the „Carers Big Day Out‟ in celebration of Carers Week! Receive
information on supports and services across aged care, disability, mental health and youth. Enjoy
free refreshments, lunch and entertainment. Transport and respite care can be provided to enable
you to attend.
For more information call 9381 0696 or click here to register
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/carers-big-day-out-tickets-13087104883
Richmond Fellowship WA Calendar of Events – Mental Health Training
As part of its Mental Health training, Richmond Fellowship WA presents a series of Recovery
based workshops.
 Monday 6th October: Mindfulness for Mental Health
 Thursday 9th October: Conflict Management Training
 Monday 13th October: Working With Emotions
 Tuesday 14th October: Conflict Management Training (Rockingham).
To find out more about individual sessions and bookings visit www.rfwa.org.au and choose the
‘TRAINING’ tab. To contact Richmond Fellowship WA email [email protected] or call 08 9350
8800.
BeBright Study Day
Tuesday 28th October, Crown Perth
11.00am – 3.00pm (registrations at 10.40am)
The clinical education team at BrightSky Australia have recently developed a specialised training
package aimed at support workers and carers that provide personal care for people with a
physical disability.
If you are providing care to a family member and would like to know how to improve your skills at
carrying out personal care requirements, then this course is for you!
The program covers the impact of physical disabilities on incontinence, autonomic dysreflexia,
urinary & bowel continence personal care needs and skin integrity maintenance.
The course costs $50 and includes lunch and coursework materials. For more information,
registrations or a copy of the full program contact Marie Magiropoulos on (02) 8741 5650 or email
[email protected]
2015 Disability Support Awards
The 2015 Disability Support Awards are an opportunity for people with disability, their families and
carers to recognise support people who have made a significant difference to their life and to
celebrate their outstanding quality of work and commitment. Nominations can be made in various
formats, including written, audio and visual. NDS WA can also assist in developing nominations if
needed.
Winners will be announced and presented with their award at a gala dinner on Saturday 28th
March 2015 at Crown Perth. People with disability nominating their support people are
encouraged to attend the gala dinner and can talk to us can about possible funding to cover costs
to attend. Information about the awards, including the award categories, the nomination form, and
how to attend the gala dinner, is available on www.ndswa.org.au or by contacting NDS WA on 08
9208 9812 or [email protected]
NDIS Midland Pre-Planning Session
Want to know more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme, how to build a plan with the
NDIS and how to put plans into action? Come along to a small group pre-planning discussion over
morning tea to explore these questions and more.
Discussions held every second Tuesday, 9.30am - 10.30am, at the NDIS office, 78 Railway
Parade, (cnr Marion St) Midland. Upcoming session dates include 14th October, 28th October,
11th November, 25th November and 9th December 2014.
For more information or to RSVP please contact [email protected] or phone 9278
9000.
Esperance Respite Services
A new local and privately owned service is now available to carers in Esperance.
Esperance Respite Services can provide much needed relief for carers in their home or
elsewhere. For more information please contact Helen Tugwell on 0427 714 253 or email
[email protected]