Carers Australia and the network of Carers Associations invite all Australians to be part of Carers Week. Carers Week is Australia’s celebration of carers and is held annually in the third week of October. Carers Week aims to raise awareness of carers, the caring role and relationships, and carer supports and services.
National Carers Week 2024 will take place from Sunday, 13th to Saturday, 19th October 2024.
National Carers Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness about the 2.65 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with disability, chronic or life-limiting illness, is frail aged, has a mental health, alcohol or other drug related challenge.
More than one in ten Australians are carers. Unpaid family carers are an integral part of our healthcare system. They are the foundation of our aged, disability, palliative and community care systems. They make an enormous contribution to our community as well as our national economy.
Carers WA welcomes your involvement in National Carers Week. Organisations who wish to partner with Carers WA are welcome to contact us via email at marketing@carerswa.asn.au for sponsorship opportunities.
Special guests including the Hon. Sabine Winton, Hon. Donna Faragher, Esme Bowen - Chair of the Carers Advisory Council, Mike Rowe - Director General for Department of Communities, Linda Wayman - Board Chair of Carers WA and others joined us for a Carers Week Breakfast Launch Event celebrating and championing the role of unpaid carers in our society.
Carers were able to meet Priscilla, our Community Engagement vehicle on the road during October to find out about support available to them. The team made 11 stops and also attended the Kalgoorlie Spring Festival.
Carers WA was excited to introduce a new regional initiative, ‘Cups for Carers’. In partnership with 9 local cafés, across regional WA, we invited unpaid family carers to take some time out for themselves and enjoy a cuppa on us, with a friend or family member.
Laughter filled the air during two screenings of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 at HOYTS Karrinyup and Carousel. Carers cherished these movie outings as they were transported to the enchanting world of Greece.
12 morning teas were hosted in various hospitals across Perth, providing carers with the chance to connect, take a short break and find out more about services and support available to them.
With perfect weather in the past few weeks, some lucky carers won free tickets for a day at Perth Zoo or AQWA. We hope you and your family had a fantastic time!
Carers WA hosted 14 hospital stands during Carers Week increasing awareness of support and services across a number of Perth metro hospitals, as well as Bunbury regional hospital.
The Hon. Sabine Winton hosted an inaugural meeting at Parliament House with the Carers WA Youth Advisory Group. Our amazing group of young carers travelled from all over to attend and share their experiences and ideas as young carers.
It was a pleasure working together with the Department of Communities to achieve Level 1 Activate Accreditation as a Carer Friendly Employer. This accreditation is a demonstration of their strong commitment to recognising and supporting carers in their workplace.
Lotterywest proudly supported 46 Carers Week Activity Grants throughout WA. There were a variety of events and activities offered across the state and to different demographics of carers including CaLD carers and grandcarers.
The Hon. Sabine Winton MLA hosted a group of 60 carer representatives at Parliament House for morning tea. For some attendees, it was their first time visiting Parliament House. For everyone, it was an opportunity to share stories, connect and feel recognised.