Walk cares for those who care for us

A STATEWIDE initiative has launched in Ballarat with the aim of giving the city’s carers a pleasant stroll and a chance to unwind and socialise.

Called the Pathway for Carers initiative, the State-funded program was conceived in 2015, with the Ballarat debut taking place recently.

The walk, which took place at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, was hosted with help from Grampians Health’s carer support team.

Jackie Kattula was one of the nine participants of the launch, and said it provided the opportunity to learn from people in similar roles.

“It was lovely meeting some new friends, and it helps you to know you’re not alone, that there are people out there in similar circumstances,” she said.

“The ones that have been on a longer caring journey, they usually impart some nice wisdom. That’s how you often find things out, from the networking you build up.”

The walks are set to be held on the third Thursday of each month with the next session scheduled for Thursday, 19 January.

Pathway for Carers project manager Michelle Willoughby was guest speaker and said it’s been a goal of theirs to introduce the initiative to the city.

“It’s really exciting to be able to launch this. Ballarat has been in the pipeline for at least a year and a half,” she said.

“We’re giving carers support and connecting them with each other. We have guest speakers who come along to connect the carers to services relevant to them.”

Janneke Barber-Stevens, Carer Gateway’s carer support service team leader said it’s great to give carers a chance for respite.

“It’s important for the carers to get to know people. Normally, they’re so busy and stressed with no opportunity to be out,” she said.

“This is our first event out after COVID. We went over the road through the prime ministers’ walk and then back to Pipers.”