What's on for Carers

What's on

Carers NSW

Ongoing	SMILES (Simplifying Mental Illness plus Life Enhancement Skills)
Ongoing	FOUNDATIONS - Education for families & carers of people with mental health problems
Ongoing	Education and Training - current training sessions
2010	New Carer Representation Workshops in 2010
22 July-5 August	Consultations with carers
Click here to view upcoming Family and Carer Mental Health Program carer education courses in the South East Sydney and Illawarra region Click here to view upcoming Family and Carer Mental Health Program carer education courses in the North Coast Area Click here to view upcoming Family and Carer Mental Health Program carer education courses in the Greater Western Area

Other

21 October to 16 December	Challenging Behaviour Workshops
open	Bipolar study
TBA	Older Parent Carer Support Group
1&15 of each month	Living well with Bipolar
9 March 2010 to 30 September 2011	Free workshops for parents/carers of school aged children with autism
22 July	It's Ok to Have Fun symposium for families, carers and clinicians
Starts 28 July	Creative workshop for carers in Northern Sydney
8-10 September	Spark Creative Arts Festival for people with a disability
29 July to 16 September	Challenging Behaviour Workshops
7 August	MS Family Day – Illawarra
Ongoing	Mentoring Program for carers of people with acquired brain injuries
Ongoing	On-line survey for carers
Ongoing	New respite service for carers of people with mental illness – Nepean region
Ongoing	Carers NSW Family & Carer Mental Health Program training courses

SMILES (Simplifying Mental Illness plus Life Enhancement Skills)
Description	For 8-12 year old young people who have a mother, father, brother or sister experiencing a mental health problem. (Specifically schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety).

FOUNDATIONS - Education for families & carers of people with mental health problems

Description

Foundations is a FREE two-day education course run by Carers NSW for friends, families and carers of people with mental health problems.

Foundations will enable carers to meet others in similar situations, learn more about mental illness and the mental health system, learn how to enhance their coping skills, how to access local services and much more all within a safe and supportive environment.

New Carer Representation Workshops in 2010

Description

Carers NSW is running another round of two day workshops for carers interested in joining our Carer Representation Program. Workshops will be held in Sydney and in regional NSW.

The Carer Representation Program provides carers from across NSW with opportunities to participate in activities such as guest speaking, media interviews, and representation on committees and roundtables. The aim is to inform a range of professionals and general members of the community of carers’ perspectives.

Carers who are interested in the program will need to fill out an Expression of Interest form. No prior experience is needed as Carers NSW will provide you with training and support, although a passion for getting the carers’ perspective heard is a must.

For more information please contact Alison Parkinson on 02 9280 4744 or email alisonp@carersnsw.asn.au

Consultation with carers

Description

Carers NSW are about to launch the Carers NSW Survey 2010 to inform our strategy for next year’s NSW election and our submission to the 2011 NSW budget.

One part of the survey is focus group consultations. Carers NSW is seeking participation from carers from a diversity of caring situations and carer population groups. The Carers NSW Survey 2010 will specifically aim to include hidden carers: people who are carers but do not recognise themselves as such, or who for many reasons do not access formal services.

If you are a carer who belong to any of the groups listed below and would like to have your say about what your needs are in your caring role then join one of the consultations that we will be holding in July and August.

For more information contact Carin Bertmar, Project Officer at Carers NSW on carinb@carersnsw.asn.au or 9280 4744.

Carers from a culturally or linguistically different background
When: Thursday 22 July, 10am-11.30am
Where: Carers NSW office at Level 18, 24 Campbell Street, Sydney

Carers living in rural and remote NSW
When: Tuesday 27 July, 2pm-3.30pm
Where: Telephone conference (phone number to call will be provided when you sign up to participate)

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI) carers
When: Wednesday 28 July, 10am-11.30am
Where: Carers NSW office at Level 18, 24 Campbell Street, Sydney

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander carers
When: Thursday 5 August, 10am-11.30am
Where: Carers NSW office at Level 18, 24 Campbell Street, Sydney

Any information or personal details that are given in the focus group consultations are confidential. No person will be identified in any publication of results. Only the policy team at Carers NSW will see the data and may anonymously quote some of the answers to support our position in policy documents or published material.

Bipolar study
Description	The University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute are investigating what types of behaviours and experiences trigger the highs and lows in young people (aged 18-24 years) with bipolar disorder. If you care for a young person with bi-polar disorder and think they might be interested in sharing their experiences of what triggers their highs and lows, please advise them of this study.
Where	The Black Dog Institute in Randwick.
When	The confidential interview will last about 1 hour. Contact the University for details of interview times.
More details	Participants will be reimbursed $40.00 for time and travel costs. To get involved, please contact k.delmas@unsw.edu.au or phone 02 9382 3769.

Older Parent Carer Support Group
Where	Lismore region
When	To be announed
Contact/more details	This is a potential Carer Support Group. To express interest, please contact Steve Johnson at Tweed Valley Respite Centre on 1800 043 186 or email arts@tvrs.org.au

Living well with Bipolar
Description	A six week online course, developed and run by Madeleine Kelly, author of Life on a Roller-coaster. Lessons, readings, activities and forums are all part of the course which looks at how to live well with and manage Bipolar. This course is open to sufferes of mental illness as well as carers, family, friends and service providers. When: The course’s intake dates are the 1st and 15th of every month. Payment must be made prior to enrolment.
Where	Online
Contact/more details	Click here for more information or email madeleine@beatbipolar.com

Free workshops for parents/carers of school aged children with autism
Description	The Positive Partnerships workshops are an Australian Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) funded component of the Australian Government’s “Helping Children with Autism” package. They are run nationally by the Australian Autism Education & Training Consortium (AAETC). Members of the AAETC include Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), the lead agency, the University of Canberra, Autism SA and the Department of Education and Training, Western Australia. The workshop is highly interactive and focuses on helping parents and primary care givers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to work in partnership with their child's school to improve their learning outcomes. The content is adapted to the different ages, educational settings and specific needs of students with ASD, including elective specific information sessions.
Where	Locations are Australia-wide, including 14 workshops in NSW.
When	Tuesday, 9 March 2010 to Friday, 30 September 2011
Contact/more details	There is no cost to attend. Lunch and morning tea are provided to all participants. A list of workshops dates and locations, online registration and more information is available at www.autismtraining.com.au For telephone information, please leave a message on the Positive Partnerships Info Line 1300 881 971

It's Ok to Have Fun symposium for families, carers and clinicians
Description	The Behaviour Intervention Service presents this symposium for families, carers and clinicians. Includes specialist guest speakers from Ageing Disability and Home Care, as well as other services.
Where	Rydges Parramatta, 116-118 James Ruse Drive, Parramatta
When	Thursday 22 July, 9am-5pm
Contact/more details	To book contact BIS events on 02 9841 9468 or email BISevents@dadhc.nsw.gov.au The cost of the day is $50 and includes registration, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and parking. Sign language interpreters are available. Please advice if you require this service when you register.

Creative workshop for carers in Northern Sydney
Description	'Exploring your Creativity' workshop runs for four weeks, tailored to assist and support both carers and their care-recipient. There will be a number of assistants available which will allow for the two groups to work in two separate areas. This means you as a carer can relax, put your feet up and take the time and freedom to regenerate yourself in a fun and creative way with others who understand the role you take on as a carer. The second group, run for the care recipients, is designed to allow them to have some creative fun in a supervised and safe environment.
Where	Unit 1, 29 Oxford St,Epping
When	28 July–18 August, Wednesdays, 10am-12pm
Contact/more details	This series of workshops is free. For more information contact Vanessa on 02 9868 2400 or 0410 828 773 or email ness.onestep@gmail.com

Spark Creative Arts Festival for people with a disability
Description	This festival is put on by The Junction Works, with the support of Ageing, Disability and Aged Care, and includes a range of dance, music and other creative workshops and live performances for people with a disability who are over 16.
Where	The Tops Conference Centre, Bendena Garden Road, Stanwell Tops
When	Wednesday 8 - Friday 10 September
Contact/more details	RSVP by 20 August. Phone 02 9606 9628 for more information. Cost is $260 per person which includes meals, accommodation and festival costs. Staff costs are $138 inlcuding meals and accomodation. Clients must always be accompanied by a staff member.

Challenging Behaviour Workshops
Description	Community Links Wollondilly and Brief Therapy Solutions are once again running the very much in demand workshops to help families and carers better cope with children with challenging behaviour.
Where	July-September Narellan Community Health Centre, Queen Street, Narellan / October-December Wollondilly Community Health Centre
When	Thursday 29 July 2010 until Thursday 16 September 2010, 10am-12pm / Thursday 21 October 2010 until Thursday 16 December 2010, 6.30pm—8.30pm
Contact/more details	These workshops are free. No childcare is available. To book or for more details, contact 02 46474550 or 02 4683 2776, or email carmel@communitylinks.org.au

MS Family Day – Illawarra
Description	This day brings together families affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to learn about MS, meet others and have fun. Includes talks and activities for kids and teens (5 years and over), parents information sessions on communicating and coping and an interactive family workshop.
Where	Rydges Central City, 112 Burelli Street, Wollongong
When	Saturday 7 August 2010, 10am-3pm
Contact/more details	Lunch provided. Please RSVP by 15 July as places are limited. For a registration form contact Rosanna Commisso on 02 9646 0757 or email rosanna.commisso@msaustralia.org.au

Mentoring Program for carers of people with acquired brain injuries

Description

The Brain Injury Association of NSW CarerLink Mentoring Program partners people with experience of caring for someone with an acquired brain injury (mentor) with another person recently exposed to the experience (mentee).

The program has been found to be an effective buffer for stress and has also been shown to increase people’s sense or personal empowerment and efficacy.

This is a free program which provides training for mentors and ongoing guidance and support for mentors and mentees.

Contact/more details

If you would like to know more or register your interest in becoming either a mentor or mentee, please contact Amanda MacRae on 02 9868 5261 or freecall 1800 802 840. You can also email amandam@biansw.org

On-line survey for carers
Description	The University of Melbourne invites carers to complete a series of on-line surveys on guidelines on how to help someone with a drug use problem. Participating carers will receive an Amazon gift voucher. The university also produces mental health first aid guidelines. Click here for a copy.
Contact/more details	for more information contact Zoe Shearer on 0401 168 056, or email zshearer@unimelb.edu.auor click here for the survey.

New respite service for carers of people with mental illness – Nepean region
Description	Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) in Penrith has funding to provide respite to carers of adults with a mental illness in the Nepean, St Mary’s, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains’ areas. We are funded by the Department of Health & Ageing and the Department of Family & Community Services & Indigenous Affairs. Therefore there are no costs involved.
When	7 days per week, day/evening
Where	Nepean HACC region – Penrith, St Mary’s, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains’ areas.
Contact/more details	Damian 02 4721 3658 or damian.d@pra.org.au

Carers NSW Family & Carer Mental Health Program training courses
Description	Are you caring for someone with mental health problems? Click here to find out more about the Carers NSW Family & Carer Mental Health Program and to find out about training courses happening in your area that can help you in your caring role.

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page updated 4 August, 2010