Carers Victoria is pleased to announce and congratulate the 28 Successful Recipients of the Connecting Carers in their Community Small Grant Round 2025
The Victorian Government has funded a total of $612,000 in grants of between $15,000 and $25,000 each. The grant round is proudly administered by Carers Victoria and assessed by an independent external panel.
We received many outstanding applications and were thrilled by the creativity, innovation, and dedication demonstrated across all applications, making the selection process both challenging and inspiring. We thank all applicants for their effort and dedication to supporting carers.
The 28 funded projects are spread across metropolitan, regional, and rural Victoria, representing a rich diversity of languages, cultures, and carer communities. These initiatives will strengthen support networks, reduce isolation, and enhance wellbeing for unpaid carers throughout the state.
Project activities will run until 30 June 2026, offering carers new opportunities to connect, engage, and feel supported in their local communities.
A heartfelt congratulations to all grant recipients—we look forward to seeing the positive impact of your work!
The Sampaguita Carers Circle is a culturally responsive support initiative for Filipino carers offering monthly gatherings in community garden settings across Victoria. Each session creates a culturally safe and welcoming space where carers can share their experiences without fear of judgment. Catchup sites are in Gippsland, Geelong, Southern Metro, Eastern Metro and Western Metro.
The circle gently challenges the stigma around carer burden, affirming that sharing is self-care, builds their support network, and resilience. Carers receive information about support services practical tips for mindfulness and self-care and access to free or low-cost resources available locally. Gatherings blend peer connection with therapeutic gardening wellness activities and shared meals.
The group acts as a community shoulder to lean on fostering friendships and peer to peer support that carers can build on outside of the sessions. Whether they need someone to talk to share advice or simply feel heard the circle helps carers form lasting connections they can turn to in times of need.
Inspired by the Sampaguita flower which symbolises humility and strength this initiative honors the quiet power of carers and celebrates their vital role their family and friends' lives, and the community.
Together we bloom with compassion, resilience and community.
The plan is to continue the Hume Carers Connection Hub, a culturally safe, peer-led space for unpaid carers from diverse backgrounds in Hume. Activities include weekly group sessions, guest speakers on relevant topics, social outings, and ongoing volunteer training.
Delivered primarily at Homestead Community Centre, this project reduces isolation, improves health and well-being, builds carer confidence, and increases access to support.
Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative has previously been successfully in running a number of carer activities, we would aim to do what we previously have in running some carer days with two specifically for carers and also another carer and carer person in supported environment to allow connection as people rather than carers. These include a day to Echuca taking on lunch and River cruise for example. A second event could be planned for a trip to the Kyabram Fauna park with those especially caring for children or younger people who go along to the day with the support of staff.
We will also use the opportunity to work with carers to link in with support at BDAC.
A third event could be held locally and be able to have a connection to culture after looking specifically at the eneeds of the carers.
This could be our own internal programs or links to mainstream services such as carer gateway.
Over the past events in 2022 that BDAC was able to run were able to connect with over 80 carers to link into community supports.
Mothers bear the brunt of the child(ren)'s brain illness/injury and the effect on the family. She gives up work and other activities to be the 24/7 carer and has to navigate health, NDIS and social security systems, as well as caring for the other children. At the same time, the most trusted source of information and advice (and hope) is other parents.
The Victorian Government's additional respite funding for 2023-2025 kindly enabled Brainwave to establish six Mums Groups - 4 in metro Melbourne and Geelong and Ballarat. We would like to use this funding to consolidate these groups to become more self-sufficient with developing the capacity of mothers as leaders of the groups, together with establishing three new local Mums groups for mothers supported by Brainwave on the Mornington Peninsula, Ringwood and Bendigo.
We are planning to run a dedicated carers group in our regional community for those supporting children and young people experiencing school refusal or "school can't", when a child has persistent reluctance and difficulty attending school, due to mental health challenges, neurodivergence, and trauma. After successfully piloting a school can’t carers group in early 2025, we are seeking funding to continue its delivery and expand its reach.
This grant will enable us to continue to run the original group and establish a second group specifically designed to support carers of younger children. Based on participant feedback, many carers struggle to attend support sessions without childcare. We will address that barrier by incorporating age-appropriate activities alongside the carers' sessions to enable participation of carers.
Through community consultation, it was found that caring for a child experiencing 'school can't' significantly affects the carer's mental health and social participation. Many carers are unable to work, as they cannot leave the child at home alone, or need to attend regular school meetings focused on the child's mental health.
The program builds peer support networks, encourages help-seeking behaviours among carers and equips them with practical strategies and resources to support their own wellbeing.
Community Choirs for Carers supports carers through the power of music, mindfulness, and peer connection. The program offers a safe, inclusive space for carers to take a break, recharge, and share experiences with others who understand their challenges.
Free weekly sessions will begin with gentle breathing and relaxation exercises, followed by uplifting group singing. Carers are invited to help choose and co-create songs, fostering creative expression and a sense of ownership.
After singing sessions, facilitated peer support circles over supper provide space for open conversation, sharing coping strategies, and building social connections. These discussions strengthen community bonds, reduce isolation, and enhance wellbeing.
Sessions will run for 6 months in accessible community spaces in Geelong, Sunbury, Ballarat, Mornington, Nunawading, Ashburton, and St Kilda, where exsiting With One Voice community choirs run. Monthly online peer support sessions will also connect carers across Victoria.
Community Choirs for Carers will increase social connectedness, improve mental wellbeing, and provide practical mindfulness tools. Participants will leave with new friendships, creative skills, and the joy of collective singing, enriching their own lives and the communities they care for. Carers will be invited to join existing With One Voice choirs, to ensure sustained community connection after the program.
‘Cultivating Carers’ is a kitchen-garden-themed wellbeing program planned for carers in the West Warrnambool area, delivered at West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House. It will feature hands-on workshops in gardening, self-care, nutrition, cooking, wellbeing and a local food swap event.
West Warrnambool has been identified as a “food desert” with higher reliance on food relief than the town overall (Food Insecurity in Warrnambool 2022, South West Healthcare). The program aims to reduce this reliance by building carers’ skills in growing and preparing nutritious food, and by encouraging healthy choices through free refreshments at all sessions.
Activities include practical, inclusive workshops with a garden theme, plus an introductory session at Warrnambool Community Garden with accessible transport provided. Workshops will also foster social connection, with carers working together on shared projects in a neutral, welcoming space.
By offering activities locally, the program removes locational, physical, and financial barriers to participation. To be delivered over seven months, carers will gain knowledge, practical skills, and opportunities for meaningful connection. Outcomes will include stronger social cohesion, sharing of fresh produce, and improved health and wellbeing for carers in the West Warrnambool community."
We are planning to expand and enhance our monthly “Don’t Dementia It” peer-support meetings for carers and people living with dementia across Kyabram, Nagambie, Echuca/Moama, Shepparton, Mooroopna, and surrounding areas. This will involve hiring larger, accessible venues, funding transport to reduce barriers to attendance, and taking the group on visits to members’ communities to raise awareness and reach new carers. Activities will include informative guest speakers on topics chosen by the group, opportunities for carers and cared-for people to meet separately when possible, and a social calendar with outings such as lunches, bowling, fishing, BBQs, and morning teas. These activities will strengthen social connection, improve wellbeing, and empower carers through peer learning and shared experiences.
Our Carers Circle will be a welcoming social group created especially for carers who want to nurture their own health and wellbeing while supporting others in similar roles. Our group is all about building a supportive community where people can learn, share, and recharge. What we hope to offer: a 20-week group program based in Sunshine (once a week, term time only for Semester 1 2026) to establish a supportive Carers Group to support local carers to promote connection and promote good mental health featuring;
We are planning to deliver a carers assistance and support program for carers of people with life limiting illnesses that involves emotional, practical, and social support. Our research and understanding of the carer's role has enabled us to identify a number of areas in which carers require support. Our program is aimed to provide holistic support in the areas we have identified as essential for carers to remain connected to the community, informed of available resources, aware of their legal and financial options, and socially stimulated. These activities will include providing carers with a discount card to be used at participating local businesses and self-care services, printed resources to access support, a selfcare booklet with advice and recommendations, a regular group session, guest speakers who can provide legal, financial and practical advice, and social outings. These activities will help carers to prioritise their own care, maintain order in their life administration, develop supportive relationships with other carers, and stay socially active. Our aim is to have carers spend time focusing on themselves and their needs while caring for someone, and aiming to maintain continuity in their own lives in preparation for when caring might come to an end.
This project will create a suite of practical, easy-to-use paper-based and downloadable resources that strengthen the local and social connection of unpaid carers by activating help from the people in their everyday lives - family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues.
Rather than connecting carers only to other carers through formal groups, it will ensure carers are better connected to their local supports, services and community.
Feedback from carers and service providers shows that not everyone wants to use our app, yet they could still benefit from the coordinated informal care it generates. This project takes our proven digital approach into the analogue world, ensuring no one misses out on the power of coordinated community support in the caring role.
Co-designed with carers, the resources will provide simple, meaningful ways for communities to help consistently - from dropping off groceries and taking out bins to offering respite, walking the dog, or providing transport.
By making caring a shared community responsibility, we will reduce isolation, prevent burnout, and normalise the expectation that everyone has a role to play.
Once developed, the resources will be distributed through local organisations and embedded into Gather My Crew’s ongoing programs for lasting benefit across Victoria.
http://www.gathermycrew.org.au
We are planning to host a catered art group specifically focusing on LGBTQIA+ carers that involves guided creative sessions delivered at Glen Park Community Centre in Bayswater North. This inclusive, welcoming space will offer carers the opportunity to connect with others who share similar lived experiences while engaging in therapeutic, low pressure art activities.
Many LGBTQIA+ carers currently access Glen Park independently through various programs, but there is no dedicated group locally that recognises and supports their role as carers. This project will address that gap by creating a safe, affirming environment where carers can express themselves creatively, take a break from their responsibilities, and build peer support networks.
These activities will achieve greater social connection and reduce feelings of isolation often experienced by LGBTQIA+ carers. The program is designed to promote mental well-being, create a sense of belonging, and offer a moment of respite through creativity and shared experience.
Heathcote Dementia Alliance are planning two community-based activities for carers of people living with dementia and other care needs. The first will be a Carer Connection Day at Reflections at Eppalock, bringing together carers, their partners, and families for a BBQ and community celebration. Carers will enjoy the Healing Garden and grounds, while connecting with local services including NDIS, My Aged Care, BDAC, Thorne Harbour Country, and Regional Victorians of Colour, who will host information booths.
The second activity will be a Carers Forum, providing space for carers and carer groups to reflect, share ideas, and build stronger networks with each other and service providers. To ensure inclusivity, an art therapy session will be run simultaneously for those living with dementia, so carers can participate fully. Both activities will include a shared lunch, supporting connection and conversation.
These activities will reduce isolation, improve awareness of local supports, and strengthen the continuity of carer networks.
http://dementiaalliance.au
Our project is to strengthen and broaden ISFAF's established community support programs for mental health carers who support family members with serious mental health conditions, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds. The primary goal is to make it significantly easier for CALD carers to access and feel comfortable using our services by removing cultural and language barriers that currently frequently prevent participation.
This includes culturally appropriate improvements such as ongoing access to professional interpretation services, culturally suitable catering, and religious and cultural considerations. Building on 34 years of continuous monthly meetings, Walk 'n Chat groups, guest speaker presentations, social events, culturally appropriate peer to peer support and the dissemination of information, these initiatives aim to improve cultural safety and accessibility for CALD carers, reduce barriers to peer support participation, increase volunteer capacity for cultural competency, and promote sustainable community integration. Rather than creating separate programs for different communities, we're building cultural responsiveness into all our existing activities to create an inclusive environment where CALD carers feel welcomed and supported within the community. Face-face, telephone and online support will serve carers from across Victoria, with particular focus on our significant population of ageing carers who comprise 67% of our membership.
"Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting family members and friends with physical or mental health challenges, disabilities, or age-related conditions. Carers can be from all age groups. The demands of caring can lead to isolation, burnout, and poor wellbeing. This project will support unpaid carers in Kew and surrounding suburbs by offering a holistic, community-based program designed to enhance social connection, reduce stress, and improve wellbeing.
Through facilitated peer support groups, skill-building workshops, community events, and wellbeing activities, the project will provide much-needed social and emotional support for unpaid carers, creating pathways to meaningful connection, self-care, and resilience."
https://kewnlc.org.au/
Cultura has co-designed the six-month Men’s Carers Active Connect program with adult and young male carers from multicultural backgrounds in Bendigo. We are planning to deliver eight weekly swimming sessions, a multicultural soccer tournament, and a fishing day for adult and young male carers aged 16 and above. These activities will achieve greater social connection, improved physical and mental wellbeing, and stronger intergenerational bonds, while providing a supportive environment where male carers can relax, share experiences, and build peer networks.
By combining culturally responsive activities with practical support, the program addresses barriers to help-seeking caused by language, culture, and attitudes promoting self-reliance. It creates opportunities for meaningful engagement in safe, inclusive settings, enabling carers to access community resources, improve wellbeing, and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The intergenerational and culturally inclusive approach allows young and adult carers to learn practical skills, share experiences, and develop social confidence. By welcoming men beyond the carer cohort, the program also promotes broader social inclusion and community integration. Overall, Men’s Carers Active Connect, delivered in Bendigo, offers a unique, activity-based model that strengthens networks, resilience, and wellbeing for multicultural male carers.
We are planning to establish Mifgash Carers Connect, a culturally safe carers group for Jewish carers in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. The group will support unpaid carers of family members with disability, chronic illness, ageing needs, or mental health challenges. It will provide a secure, inclusive space free from antisemitism, where carers can share experiences, access peer support, and participate in respite and wellbeing activities.
Activities will include fortnightly facilitated group sessions, guest speakers on mental health, legal and financial topics, creative and social activities, and access to culturally appropriate respite opportunities. Sessions will be held at the Mifgash Centre, a trusted hub for the Jewish community, with online participation options for those unable to attend in person.
The program will strengthen carers’ social connections, reduce isolation, improve access to local support services, and enhance emotional wellbeing. Culturally specific design ensures that Jewish carers, who often face barriers in mainstream supports, can participate fully and comfortably. This new group will fill a clear gap in local support options for carers in the Jewish community.
Carer Crew are planning to empower Young Carers by implementing local supports including peer support groups, counselling, planned Day Respite excursions with peers, education around self care, and workshops from people with specialist knowledge. These activities will be predominatly held at Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House, some peer groups will be held via Zoom, and Day Respite will be excursions at various locations chosen by Young Carers. These activities will achieve better outcomes for Young Carers by creating connections to reduce isolation, emotional support to reduce stress and information to upskill on their Carer role.
Carers Connect: Arts, Access & Wellbeing offers a unique, community-centered model to support family and informal carers in Noble Park, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) carers. Unlike clinical settings or fragmented service locations, this program brings essential service providers, information, creative wellbeing activities, and respite options directly into a trusted, welcoming environment at Noble Park Community Centre.
By creating a one-stop-shop, Carers Connect reduces the burden on carers who often navigate multiple, disconnected systems. The program includes a monthly Support Services Drop-In, where organisations such as Services Australia, NDIS Local Area Coordinators, and culturally specific support groups visit the Centre on rotating dates. This makes vital information and referrals accessible locally, saving carers time and reducing stress.
Complementing this practical support, the program integrates creative arts workshops, digital storytelling, and peer-led discussion circles. These culturally sensitive activities provide carers with safe spaces to express emotions, build resilience, and foster connection.
This holistic, accessible approach is tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Noble Park community, ensuring carers receive coordinated, culturally responsive support in a familiar, non-clinical setting. Carers Connect strengthens carers’ wellbeing and community ties through seamless care.
We are planning to significantly expand our existing Caring Together Hub at Notting Hill Neighbourhood House (NHNH), specifically supporting carers from multicultural backgrounds and young carers.
Through consultation and co-design with carers already participating in our program, we will introduce culturally inclusive activities including creative arts workshops (painting, crafting, jewellery-making), wellness and mindfulness sessions (yoga, meditation, gentle fitness), and structured peer-support groups.
The project will be delivered fortnightly onsite at NHNH, alongside termly special events such as larger multicultural celebrations and community meals. These carefully tailored activities will reduce carers’ social isolation and particularly equip young carers with practical skills essential for future success.
NHNH is uniquely positioned to successfully deliver this project due to our proven track record from previously funded Carers VIC programs, our dedicated staff, feedback mechanisms, existing partnerships, and a committed multilingual volunteer team ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all carers.
We are planning to deliver weekly hybrid support group sessions for carers of people with eating disorders across Colac and surrounding areas. These sessions will be held both in-person and online via Zoom to increase accessibility for carers who are time-poor, live rurally, or are unable to attend in person due to caring duties.
Our activities include peer-led support meetings, educational workshops, and therapeutic group activities facilitated by trained professionals with lived experience. We also plan to conduct community presentations to raise awareness and reduce stigma around eating disorders.
These activities will achieve improved social connection, emotional resilience, and well-being for carers by providing a safe space to share, learn, and access resources. By offering a flexible hybrid model, carers can engage consistently regardless of their circumstances, reducing isolation and burnout. Our project supports carers to better navigate their caregiving role while maintaining their own health.
Oakgrove is planning to commence a weekly Carers Cafe program for unpaid carers who care for anyone (regardless of age) with a disability, mental illness from multicultural and diverse communities & young carers that involves health & wellbeing activities like Mindfulness Art, Yoga, Fitness, outdoor activities and information sessions based on the needs of the group. These activities will provide opportunities for the carers to socially connect with each other while accessing support services in the community, improving their health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness. Carers will feel confident and safe to seek support from Oakgrove in a warm and welcoming environment.
The program will run at Oakgrove Community Centre for 2 hours every week during school terms.
PNC was a successful recipient of the Connecting Carers grant for 2024/25.
Using the data and feedback we received from our 24/25 project we are keen to take this to the next level.
We are planning to further establish/expand the network of carers through the East Gippsland Neighbourhood House network.
We will achieve this by connecting and engaging with unpaid carers directly through their local Neighbourhood Houses and expand the sustainable support network offering access to activities, bus trips, courses/programs and support organisations to be determined by each local community.
We will facilitate a series of social community events/activities for carers in remote locations on available supports, activities and local networks.
These activities will provide carers with social connections, current information to support their role, access to local resources and support a meaningful relationship with their local NH.
We want to increase awareness of the number of young carers in our region and the issues they face. We will provide a series of education and community awareness activities across schools, mainstream and specialist organisations in our region. These activities will give organisations a greater understanding of the hidden population in our region, the issues they face and the supports available to them.
More importantly, it will help young carers to self-identify and then become connected to our organisation so we, in turn, can connect them to a range of supports and services (eg Carers Victoria, Support for Carers Program, Little Dreamers, Satellite Foundation, Young Carers Bursary) that will hopefully set young carers up with long term supports as they continue in their caring role. The culmination of the project, based on what young carers tell us what they want/need will be some kind of event (eg ""Big Day Out"") where young carers can attend an event free of charge (it might be just for carers, or might be another youth event, but we'll pay for their attendance - it depends on what they say they want) for them to have a break from their caring role.
The Connecting Wyndham Carers group will meet monthly, on a Monday morning from 10.00am, inviting all different carers to engage in activities, information sharing, workshops and time out from your caring role.
This group will be delivered at Quantin Binnah Community Centre, 61 Thames Boulevard, Werribee.
The purpose is to have time away from caring roles and to focus on themselves and nurture their own needs, in a relaxed, fun, inclusive atmosphere with morning tea included.
The group is a place for social connection with others who have carer experiences across a broad range. Carers will be encouraged to form connections and friendships that expand outside of the planned group sessions. The range of structured activities will provide strategies for carers to implement into their everyday life to support their physical and mental wellbeing and are designed to support the management of stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, increase confidence and self-esteem. The group will support carers to participate and try new things, increasing self-esteem and confidence. The group will share information, experiences, resources and strategies to support each other in a safe space to reflect on self. Carers will also experience new opportunities through excursions.
Our carers support group initiative is a new project aimed at providing emotional, social, and practical support to those within our RSL who are caring for loved ones. This group will offer a safe and supportive space where carers can share their experiences and access relevant information. Carers often face burnout and isolation when caring for someone with complex physical or mental health needs. Over the sessions carers will come together for group activities with learning and enjoyment.
We are planning to include morning tea and lunch, wellness focused workshops and social activities. That will involve having guest speakers offering expert advice on topics such as health, respite options, body mechanics and mental wellbeing. These activities will achieve improved wellbeing for carers by providing emotional support and reduce isolation. An organised outing to a place of interest including transport and a meal to provide a meaningful break from daily caring duties. The members of the group will have their input to how the program will be shaped. The overall aim is to reduce isolation and strengthen their networks by feeling connected to the community.
Currently this project is run on a monthly basis at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre. For some months we ran this project without any contributions from other sources as we did not have an auspice or non-profit. We received a grant for $2000 from Broadstead Kilmore in 2024, which we were able to stretch to last us 10 months.
We would like to continue this project without compromising our own living expenses. This is run through our donated time and money to cater the morning tea. We also provide general advice about school supports and NDIS support.
It is our hope to continue the work we have started and hopefully start running at another location in Kilmore. This is not possible at present because we cannot afford the room hire costs. GBCC have been exceptionally generous in allowing us to use the kitchenette for free. We would like to expand to help struggling families prepare an NDIS application, understand their plan and provide advice around the requirements schools are mandated to provide for students with disabilities.
We plan to expand on the Yarram Carers Group that we started with a previous Connecting Carers Grant for all unpaid carers in our area. We plan to build on this group by reaching out to parents/carers of school aged children and running sessions specifically for them. The carers group activities involve a monthly lunch and movie at local eateries and theatre, weekly fitness sessions, arts and crafts, guest speakers, musical outings, shared meals and cuppa and chat sessions in Yarram and surrounding areas. These activities will achieve a feeling of connectedness for carers to each other and to our community and show they are valued and appreciated for the work they do.
To find out more about a particular project, please contact grant recipients directly via the web address provided. Where a website is not listed, please reach out to the Carers Victoria grants team at grants@carersvictoria.org.au.
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