Unpaid carers to receive more support from the government

Unpaid carers who selflessly support their loved ones will receive more support from the Victorian Government to help care for their own wellbeing.

The Government is delivering more than $2.6 million to support carers to reconnect when it’s safe to do so through activities like morning teas, bushwalks and virtual cooking classes—as well as information sessions and online forums to support carers from multicultural background to access the right supports, an official press release said.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers James Merlino announced the funding as part of Carers Week, which runs from 10-16 October.

Across Victoria, more than 726,000 carers give their time and effort to look after a family member or friend who needs them, whether due to chronic disease, mental illness, disability or old age.

Fifty-six organisations will receive grants totalling $1.75 million through the Supporting Carers Locally Grants Program. The grants will help carers access peer support, community support programs and other tailored resources supporting their physical and mental health, and help them connect with family, friends and other carers.

Additionally, five organisations will share in $917,000 through the Statewide Partnership Grants Program, which will support partnerships between carer organisations and other community support organisations to deliver innovative projects that benefit carers across the state.

The five recipient organisations are Little Dreamers, Different Journeys, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Financial Counselling Victoria and Tandem.

Autism support organisation Different Journeys will use the funding to expand their peer support dinners and provide individual peer support to help connect carers with education and employment opportunities—on top of popular activities like swim sessions, bowls nights and community games nights.

Respite is also available to carers through the Support for Carers program, which is accessible during lockdown. The full list of Supporting Carers Locally Grants Program recipients can be found at: vic.gov.au/grants-benefit-carers-and-support-their-wellbeing.

Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

#Unpaid #carers who selflessly support their loved ones will receive more #support from the Victorian Govt to help care for their own wellbeing; the Govt is delivering more than $2.6mn to support carers to reconnect when it’s safe. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/YXPJi1HaCd

— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) October 13, 2021

Donate To The Indian Sun

Dear Reader,

The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.

Thank you for your support.

Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun