Open day highlights National Carers Week

STARTING this Sunday is National Carers Week and it’s aiming to give recognition to Australian carers for the support they provide to family and community.

As part of the event the newly opened Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Service, run by Mind, will mark the occasion with an open day at the service headquarters in Bendigo.

Service Manager of the program Jo Pallant said the awareness week was important because it raised the profile of the work carers perform.

“For me it’s about acknowledgement and being able to come and celebrate with other carers that are doing the same sort of thing that I am,” she said.

The Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Service program seeks to provide social and educational support to carers and is run by a team of people with personal experience in the roles.

“It provides an opportunity to connect with peers, so all of my team are peer workers, including myself, and that means they all have carer lived or living experience.

“Carers can come along and get tailored information, access to resources, some advocacy support and one-on-one support or group-based support,” Ms Pallant said.

The house was set up in response to recommendation 31 of The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which is aimed at strengthening the systems that support carers.

The Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Service open day will include a free barbeque, mindfulness activities, and a painting workshop where guests can make a piece of art to decorate the headquarters.

Doors will be open at 103 Will Street in Bendigo on Friday 20 October.