Carer Wellbeing and Connection

Carer Wellbeing and Connection

Carers Victoria is running a four-week online therapeutic program to promote a deeper understanding of connectedness and personal wellbeing.

A FREE online four-week program for carers by Carers Victoria

We know that people who provide care for a loved one often experience loneliness and can feel isolated. If this sounds familiar, this program may be right for you.

Carers Victoria, supported by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, has developed a four-week online program called Carer Wellbeing and Connection. This program has been co-designed with carers, to help you build the confidence and strength to address some of the challenges that carers face.

The program runs over four consecutive weeks. It consists of a series of online therapeutic group sessions of approximately 90-minutes that will help you better understand connectedness and personal wellbeing. The program is facilitated by an experienced mental health professional and group numbers are kept small to maintain a safe and supportive environment.

The University of Melbourne evaluated the Carer Wellbeing and Connection program throughout 2020–23, the results of which showed a clinically meaningful reduction in participants’ psychological distress (as scored by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K10+).

Carers who participated in the program have said:

“I feel relieved, I’m not so different from others, and hopeful as I have found a group where I can express myself without being judged.”

“I'm grateful for the opportunity & thank you for being so helpful. It not only helped me to connect with myself more but also with others. Stable steps toward my wellbeing goals."

 

Program details and eligibility

To participate you must:

  • Be a carer or bereaved carer (between 3 months and 2 years);
  • Have a willingness to attend all four-weeks; as groups are small;
  • Have the ability to attend online (i.e., have a computer with audio/camera and internet connection). Programs are delivered utilising online platform Zoom;
  • Proficiency in English;
  • Have NOT completed the program before.

Priority given to carers living, working, studying, or who have other connections in North Western Metropolitan region of Melbourne, including the following local government areas: Brimbank, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Wyndham, Macedon Ranges, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley, Moorabool, Merri-Bek (formerly; Moreland) and Yarra. Please note, this is due to program funding requirements. Please let us know if you live outside the north west metro region, but have a connection to any of the above areas.

 

Registrations now open

 

Group A

Beginning 4 June 2024
Four Tuesday evening sessions

6.30pm – 8.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

Group B

Beginning 5 June 2024
Four Wednesday morning sessions

10.30am – 12.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom


Group C

Beginning 5 June 2024
Four Wednesday afternoon sessions

1.30pm – 3.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

Group for Bereaved Carers 
(bereaved not less than 3 months)

Beginning 4 June 2024
Four Tuesday evening sessions

6.30pm – 8.00pm
FREE online four-session program
via Zoom

A tailored group specifically for bereaved carers (where the person being cared for has passed away). If this applies to you, we are very sorry for your loss and hope this group may be of benefit to you. Please register your interest to find out more, or reach out if you have any questions.

 


For more information

To find out more information please email us intouch@carersvictoria.org.au

 

Research

The program is being evaluated by our partner, The University of Melbourne. Involvement in the evaluation is voluntary and further information will be provided to you upon registration to the program. All information provided will be confidential and stored and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 2017.