About Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria is the peak body representing all unpaid carers in Victoria. We provide advice and services for those who care for someone with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, addiction or an older person with care needs.
We are a social purpose peak body with a charitable focus, supporting and empowering unpaid carers in Victoria. We take pride in championing all unpaid carers across Victorian communities regardless of the nature of their caring role or the needs of the care recipient.
Established in 1992 and a member of the National Network of Carers Associations, our purpose is to ensure caring is the joint responsibility of community, government and family. Nobody knows carers like we do. As the only whole-of-state organisation representing Victorian carers, we are in a unique position to understand, influence and affect change across all aspects of our communities.
There are more than 700,000 unpaid carers in Victoria. Caring can affect anyone at any time. Carers can come from all walks of life, they can be of any age, any gender, and from any culture. While caring can be extremely rewarding, it can also result in reduced health and wellbeing, financial disadvantage, and social isolation.
Carers Victoria aims to support caring families by providing programs and services:
What we do
› Advocacy – We advocate for better services and supports for carers. We work with all levels of government, the community sector and the media to influence change in the systems that support carers.
› Education – We offer a large variety of carer workshops and educational programs which are designed to enhance carers’ knowledge and support their health and wellbeing and the person they care for.
› Social opportunities – We offer in person and online events including Carers Victoria’s popular Mingle events, Connecting Carers Virtual Expo and live videocasts every Monday and Wednesday on Facebook. We also link carers with carer support groups in their local area.
› Information – We provide carers with updates on crucial information, research, policy updates and carers stories and tips in our monthly e-newsletter “Voice” as well as regular updates on social media.
› Programs – We offer Innovative programs to improve the health and wellbeing of carers including: Mind the Step, Carer Wellbeing and Connection Program, Carers Hub and the Young Carers Scholarship Program
› Services and supports – We help carers who live in Western Metropolitan Melbourne, and who have been referred by the Carer Gateway, find services and supports
› Counselling – We help carers who live in Western Metropolitan Melbourne and who have been referred by the Carer Gateway find counselling when carers need someone to talk things over.
Why host the Connecting Carer Virtual Expo?
Research has shown that carers may experience isolation, loneliness and exclusion at times throughout their caring role, this is especially the case with the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this issue, Carers Victoria is hosting a virtual expo to connect carers to local healthcare services and providers, community organisations, social activities and events, and connect with other carers.
The Expo is free for carers and will feature both community and healthcare exhibits from a range of local, regional and state-wide services that are available to carers.
The expo will be a great opportunity for carers to:
› Listen to expert speakers on relevant topics
› Connect with local service providers and peak bodies
› Find new information that will assist them in their caring role
› Enjoy fun activities and events
› Learn new ways to boost their health and well-being
Truly Incredible Care
This year, Carers Victoria launched an awareness raising campaign titled ‘Truly Incredible Care’. Victoria’s carers provide truly incredible care every day. Their truly selfless care gives so much, and yet they ask for nothing in return. You can find out more about some of these truly incredible people, their stories, their lives, and how you can support us as we continue to provide the help and services they need at https://trulyincrediblecare.carersvictoria.org.au/