page updated 9 March, 2010
Ongoing |
SMILES (Simplifying Mental Illness plus Life Enhancement Skills) |
Ongoing |
FOUNDATIONS - Education for families & carers of people with mental health problems |
2010 |
New Carer Representation Workshops in 2010 |
October 2009 - April 2010 |
Working With Carers Training Package (DADHC) |
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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 |
Description |
Carers NSW is delivering four hour orientation sessions to the Working With Carers Training Package. The training package and orientation sessions are designed for managers, trainers and coordinators of DADHC, HACC and DADHC-funded programs or services. |
| Where | Various locations in NSW |
When |
October 2009 – April 2010 |
| Cost | free |
More details |
Please click here for more information, and here for the registration form. |
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 triggers@unsw.edu.au or phone 02 9382 8509. |
Description |
volunteers are needed for a trial to investigate chiropractic management of osteoarthritis of the hip. The trial is being conducted by Macquarie University’s Department of Health & Chiropractic and volunteers will be given FREE standard chiropractic treatment. You can take part in the trial if: |
| Where | the trial will take place at one of Macquarie University’s three chiropractic outpatient clinics in Eastwood, Macquarie Park or Summer Hill. |
When |
volunteers are required immediately. The study will be conducted over an initial one month treatment period, with six optional additional treatments. Follow-up visits are required at three, six and nine month intervals. |
More details |
Katie on 0450 263 876 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Description |
Julie Tallard Johnson’s Eight Stage Healing Process for Families & Carers will introduce you to alternatives to common patterns of coping.You can care for your loved one without losing sight of your own needs. This process is about YOU, the carer/family member, and YOUR own healing. |
When |
Mondays 10.30 am to 12.30 pm February 15 to May 3 2010 |
| Where | GP Network, 53 Lord Street PORT MACQUARIE |
Contact/more details |
Click here for more information and to register call Claudia Richardson at Carers NSW on |
Description |
Council of the Aging NSW (COTA) is holding a free half-day seminar on legal issues relevant to older people. Topics covered include Advance Care Directives, Enduring Guardianship, Powers of Attorney, Tenancy and Accommodation. |
When |
Thursday 11 March 2010, 9.30am – 2.30pm |
| Where | Mitchell Theatre, Level One, 280 Pitt Street Sydney (near Town Hall station) |
| Cost | Free, lunch provided. |
Contact/more details |
For further information, please contact Anne-Marie Elias on 9286 3860. |
Description |
In 2010, Aging Disability and Home Care (ADHC) Metro South Region is hosting Client and Carer forums (Information Exchange), for clients, families and carers. These forums provide an opportunity to discuss experiences and share ideas on the delivery of services to older people, people with a disability and their families and carers. |
When |
Monday 15 March, 11am – 2pm |
| Where | Grand Ballroom, Club Five Dock, 66 Great North Road, Five Dock |
Contact/more details |
Registrations can be lodged by contacting Clayton Freeman at clayton.freeman@dadhc.nsw.gov.au or on 02 9334 3732 or 0458 293 774. |
Free course for carers of people with Dementia in the Hunter region - Raymond Terrace |
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| Description | Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is holding a free three-day course for those caring for friends or family suffering from Dementia in the Hunter region. A light supper will be provided. The topics addressed are: Day 1 – The Nature of Dementia, Effective Communication, Activities Day 2 – Understanding and Responding to Behaviours of Concern Day 3 – The Impact of Dementia, Community Services, Planning Ahead |
| Where | Raymond Terrance Bowling Club (board room), Jacaranda Street, Raymond Terrace |
| When | Fridays 5, 12 and 19 March 2010; 10am-3pm |
Contact/more details |
Registration is essential. To register or obtain more information, please contact Kim Wilson on 02 4962 7000 or hunter@alznsw.asn.au |
| Description | Professor Tony Attwood, a world expert on Autism Spectrum Disorders, will speak on a range of topics and offer information and advice on Autism Spectrum Disorders. There are two sessions:
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| Where | Richmond Club,
Corner of Francis Street and East Market Street,
Richmond NSW 2753 |
| When | Thursday 18 March 2010, 9.30am – 4.30pm and/or Friday 19 March 2010, 9.30am – 4.30pm |
| Cost | (Per day) $75 for parents, $150 for professionals. Includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. |
Contact/more details |
Limited seating – book early to avoid missing out. To register and pay online, go to www.autismsupport.org.au |
Foundations – Education for families and carers of people with mental health problems |
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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. |
When |
9.30am -5pm, Friday 19 March and Friday 26 March 2010 (attendance at both sessions is required) |
| Where | Dapto |
| Cost | Free for relatives and friends of people with a mental illness |
Contact/more details |
RSVP essential as spaces are limited. For more information or to register, contact Lorna Downes by phone on 02 4285 0155 or 0400 311 075, or email lornad@carersnsw.asn.au |
Description |
A seminar for seniors and carers that aims to explore the issues associated with ageing and end-of-life care. Topics include: how to get the best from your GP, how your memory will live on, intimacy as you age, community mentoring and legal matters. There will also be stands promoting information on services available to help you and how to live life more fully. |
When |
25 March 2010, 9.30am-2pm |
| Where | The Reef Room, Dee Why RSL Club, 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why |
| Cost | Free; light lunch provided for registered participants |
Contact/more details |
To reserve your place, please call Kristina on 1800 132 229 or 02 9334 1719 or email kristinad@nswcc.org.au |
Description |
The Arts Activated Conference is an opportunity for people passionate about the arts and disability sectors to explore, debate, discuss and connect ideas and practice. The 2010 theme is ‘Arts, Access, Excellence’, and the keynote speaker is prestigious UK artist Jenny Sealey. Up to 300 delegates are expected to attend, including artists with and without a disability, arts workers, policy makers, festival organisers and volunteers and cultural development officers. The conference is being organised by Accessible Arts, the peak arts and disability organisation in NSW. |
When |
25-26 March 2010 |
| Where | The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney |
Contact/more details |
Click here to register or access more details. Enquiries can be made to Jane Pollard on 02 9251 6499 or jpollard@aarts.net.au. |
Description |
Sponsored by St. George Home Care, the Carers Weekend Away is an opportunity for carers to take a break from their responsibilities and relax in an atmosphere of support and friendship. Carers of a family member or friend with a disability, dementia, mental health issues or problems of frail age may be eligible to attend. Places are limited and will be allocated according to strict selection criteria. Preference will be given to carers who have been unable to take a break for some time and live in the St. George area. |
When |
Friday 26 March, 3pm – Sunday 28 March, 4pm |
| Where | The Blue Mountains |
| Cost | $50, lunches and drinks at own expense |
Contact/more details |
RSVP by 5 March 2010. For more information or to register, contact the Carers Support Team on 9580 0688. Assistance with respite can be provided. |
Study on people with disabilities experiences in dealing with NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General services |
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Description |
If you have a disability and have been in contact with any of the services listed below in the last 12 months, you are invited to feed back your experiences as part of a study.
The confidential feedback will help to improve these services for people with disabilities. |
When |
The study will take place in February/March. It will take about an hour of your time. |
| Where | A location close to your home will be organised for the interview. |
Contact/more details |
Participants are welcome to bring an advocate to the interview. Participants will receive a $75 Myer voucher as a thank you for participating in the study. For more information or to register your interest, call Richard at Taverner Research on 1800 212 290 or email dsurvey@taverner.com.au |
Adult Siblings Group – a meeting for sisters or brothers of people living with a disability |
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Description |
Established by the Association of Genetic Support of Australasia, the Adult Siblings Group is a support network for adult siblings of those living with a disability. Facilitated by Alison Trainor of Northcott Disability Services, its first meeting will include a presentation entitled ‘Siblings: Brothers and Sisters of People with Special Needs’, interactive activities and group discussion. |
When |
18 April 2010, 10am-1pm. Lunch included. |
| Where | 66 Albion Street, Sydney |
| Cost | Free, but booking is essential |
Contact/more details |
Please RSVP by 9 April 2010. For more information or to register, contact Projects Officer Chiu Lau on 02 9211 1462 Monday to Wednesday, 9am-5pm, or email |
Description |
Aboriginal clients, families and carers are invited to come along, have a yarn and share thoughts, experiences, and ideas about the delivery of culturally appropriate services with Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) Metro South Region. |
Contact/more details |
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days. Aboriginal clients, families and carers can register their interest in these forums by contacting Clayton Freeman at clayton.freeman@dadhc.nsw.gov.au, or on 02 9334 3732 or 0458 293 774. The feedback report from the last forums is also available upon request. |
When |
Wednesday 10 March 2010, 11am to 2pm |
| Where | Jannali Community Centre, Corner Jannali Avenue and Mary Street, Jannali |
When |
Wednesday 21 April 2010, 11am-2pm |
| Where | Liverpool Catholic Club, Corner Joadja Road and Hoxton Park Road, Liverpool West |
Description |
Inviting all Korean Carers to a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise on the MV Captain Cook II. The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre and partners are hosting this event to celebrate and support Korean carers who primarily look after family members who are elderly or have a disability, a mental illness or are terminally ill. |
When |
Tuesday 4 May 2010, meet 9.30am, cruise goes from 10am till 1pm |
| Where | Meet outside McDonalds at Circular Quay |
Contact/more details |
For more information, contact Pauline Kim from CASS on 02 9718 8350 (Mon-Wed) or 0410 340 741 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). For bookings and respite phone freecall (except from mobile phones) Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222. Respite can be made available to look after the person you care for so that you can attend the event. The event is free. Please RSVP by Friday 16 April 2010 |
Description |
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to provide initial support to young people experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental illness. |
When |
9.30am – 5.00pm, 29 April and 6 May 2010 - Attendance both days is required. |
| Where | Nowra |
| Cost | FREE for relatives and friends of young people with mental illness |
Contact/more details |
Spaces are limited! For more information or to register contact Marisa Renwick (02) 4285 0155 or email marisar@carersnsw.asn.au. Click here to view the event flyer. |
Free course for carers of people with Dementia in the Hunter region - Hamilton |
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| Description | Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is holding a free three-day course for those caring for friends or family suffering from Dementia in the Hunter region. A light supper will be provided. The topics addressed are: Day 1 – The Nature of Dementia, Effective Communication, Activities Day 2 – Understanding and Responding to Behaviours of Concern Day 3 – The Impact of Dementia, Community Services, Planning Ahead |
| Where | The Hunter Dementia & Memory Resource Centre, 2 Percy Street, Hamilton 2303 |
| When | Thursdays 18 and 25 March and 1 April 2010; 10am-3pm or Tuesdays 4, 11 and 18 May 2010; 6pm-8.30pm |
Contact/more details |
Registration is essential. To register or obtain more information, please contact Kim Wilson on 02 4962 7000 or hunter@alznsw.asn.au |
Free course for carers of people with Dementia in the Hunter region - Rutherford/Maitland |
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| Description | Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is holding a free three-day course for those caring for friends or family suffering from Dementia in the Hunter region. A light supper will be provided. The topics addressed are: Day 1 – The Nature of Dementia, Effective Communication, Activities Day 2 – Understanding and Responding to Behaviours of Concern Day 3 – The Impact of Dementia, Community Services, Planning Ahead |
| Where | East Maitland Golf Club (meeting room), Tenambit Street, East Maitland (entry via rear downstairs) |
| When | Wednesdays 5, 12 and 19 May 2010; 10am-3pm |
Contact/more details |
Registration is essential. To register or obtain more information, please contact Kim Wilson on 02 4962 7000 or hunter@alznsw.asn.au |
Free workshops for parents/carers of school aged children with autism |
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| 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. 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. For telephone information, please leave a message on the Positive Partnerships Info Line 1300 881 971 |
Free health information sessions for seniors and their carers |
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Description |
NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre (NSW SPEC) provides free health information sessions relevant to the needs of seniors and their carers. They are now taking bookings for their free service between now and June 2010, dependent on on-going funding being received. All talks are presented by a fully trained volunteer peer educator, also a senior, and are accompanied by informative handouts, also free. Target groups are:
NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre is a program offered by Council on the Ageing NSW and is funded by the National Prescribing Service to deliver its talk on the Quality Use of Medicines and by beyondblue: the national depression initiative for Beyond Maturity Blues. |
| Where | TBC |
| When | Ongoing until June 2010 |
Contact/more details |
To book: http://www.ncoss.org.au/mail/HACC/091030-SPEC-Booking-form.doc |
Mentoring Program for carers of people with acquired brain injuries |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |
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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 9 March, 2010
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