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Young Carers in Australia

Last year, with Little Dreamers we commissioned Griffith University to complete research about young carers in Australia. The results were shared at our annual Carer Forum in October 2021.

The project explored:

caring roles of Young Carers
health and wellbeing, psycho-social disability and risk-taking behaviours of Young Carers
implications of caring responsibilities for educational and employment outcomes of Young Carers, and
support, barriers to support, and further support needs for Young Carers

November 23, 2021 No Comments

Mental Health

National Carers Week and Queensland Mental Health Week 2021

National Carers Week and Queensland Mental Health Week was celebrated from 10 – 16 October 2021 and the Arafmi Team was busy all week with stalls at the West Moreton Mental Health Expo, Caring for Carers event at St John QLD, West End and the Brisbane Mental Health Expo. Arafmi was also a sponsor of the Carers Queensland, Carer Friendly Business Awards event on Tuesday, 12 October and we would like to congratulate all the winners – well done! Arafmi also hosted two events for our mental health carers – one was a collaboration with the Lovewell Foundation/Lovewell Café at Mt Gravatt Outlook and the other was our annual Carer Forum. Lovewell – Take Time to Connect   It’s a beautiful morning up at the Mt Gravatt Outlook with our wonderful carers. lovewell 1 lovewell 2 lovewell 3 lovewell 4 We were very pleased to co-host an event with the team at Lovewell Foundation and the Lovewell Café up at Mt Gravatt Outlook. The event was possible thanks to the 2021 Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program.   The Lovewell café provided delicious treats for carers, and wellness activities were available including yoga and aromatherapy. Stallholders from organisations such as the Carer Gateway, Lives Lived Well, Stepping Stones and Carers Queensland were also onsite to help provide information to our carers. Despite the rain we had a very impressive turnout and as you can see from the photos – a good time was had by all!  Carer Forum 20211013 ARAFMI Carers Forum 107 20211013

October 19, 2021 No Comments

Uncategorized

Carer Consultation – Queensland Health’s New Plan for Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs

Queensland Health via the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch (MHAODB) is seeking feedback from carers to inform the development of a new plan for future state funded mental health, alcohol and drug services. As part of the planning process, carers who have experience of the Queensland mental health system are being consulted. Queensland Health’s MHAODB have engaged Arafmi to hear your views and collate responses and feedback. At the close of the consultation, Arafmi will prepare a report based on your responses and feedback. This will include identified issues, barriers and strategies for Queensland Health to consider in future planning. Below are the necessary links to RSVP for your preferred method of participation: Online workshop 1 (Zoom): When: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, Friday, 6 AugustRSVP: Sorry, workshop 1 is FULL. Another workshop has been added below. Online workshop 2 (Zoom):When: 10am – 11:30am, Thursday, 5 August,RSVP: Register via Zoom here Online survey: Take the survey here Survey closes: 5pm Fri 6/8/21 Face-to-face workshop:When: 11:30am – 2:00pm, Friday, 30 July,Where: Common Ground Queensland, 15 Hope Street, South Brisbane,RSVP: Sorry, this workshop in now FULL. Please note that those taking part in the face-to-face workshop, the online workshop or the one-on-one consultation will be reimbursed for their time. In recognition of your time and contribution, remuneration will be $40/hr in the form of gift cards. If

July 14, 2021 No Comments

Carer Story

National Volunteer Week

Former Australian Politician Elizabeth Andrew once said “volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart”. This wonderful group within our community numbers almost 6 million nationwide and without them, many of those who are vulnerable and at risk would not receive the support they need. From 17 – 23 May we celebrate and recognise our volunteers, the unpaid workers among us who donate their time to help those in need. The theme for this year is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. At Arafmi, we are very lucky to have volunteers who help us facilitate some of our carer support groups as well as working with our telephone support line for carers. Louise and Sharni are two such volunteers, and as part of National Volunteer Week this year, we sat down with them both to chat about what it’s like to volunteer. Thank-you to Louise and Sharni for taking the time to share their volunteering story with us and allowing us to share it with you. Here’s to all the volunteers out there who offer up their time to help others in need. Thank-you for making the world a better place. Louise Volunteer Telephone Support Worker 28 years with Arafmi Louise and her husband Roger first discovered Arafmi when their teenage son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1993. When I asked Louise where they

May 20, 2021 No Comments

News

National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) Queensland Carer Representative

The Queensland Mental Health Commission has engaged Arafmi and Carers Queensland to undertake a recruitment of the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) Queensland Carer Representative. The NMHCCF was established in 2002 by the then Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council Mental Health Standing Committee in recognition of the continued need for mental health consumer and carer involvement at the highest level of policy development. The carer representative role provides an opportunity for mental health consumers and carers to foster partnerships and to ensure input of consumers and carers into the activities of the mental health sector, including policy, service delivery and evaluation of reform in Australia. A full position description can be found here. A list of frequently asked questions is available at this link. To apply for the role, please complete the application below. If you would prefer the application be posted to you, or if you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Alex Tyson at the Arafmi office at 3254 1881. Closing date for this role is 5pm Monday, 24 May 2021. Applications are now closed.

May 19, 2021 No Comments

Communication

Arafmi Digital Connection Program

We don’t want carers missing out on online carer support simply because they don’t have the tools. Thanks to additional funding from QLD Health, we are able to provide a library of tablets for carers to use to access online carer support and educational materials. If you don’t have a computer, device or a phone at home, and you don’t have the internet – this program is for you. Please call us on 07 3254 1881 or fill out the form below and we will take you through the application process. Application Form

April 15, 2021 No Comments

Communication

Arafmi Carer Advisory Committee

Arafmi is establishing a Carer Advisory Committee to ensure the Arafmi Board can continue to strengthen their connection with carers and their understanding of carers needs. The Carer Committee will meet four times a year with board representatives, the CEO and Service Delivery Manager – Carer Supports. These meetings will ensure there is direct contact between the board and carers. The committee will identify present and emerging needs of carers, discuss and share recommendations and ensure carer’s needs remain central in Arafmi planning, decision making and advocacy. Carer Committee members will be reimbursed for their time and travel to acknowledge their contributions and commitment. Members will also have the option to join via Zoom. If you are passionate about carer’s needs and seeking an opportunity to connect directly with the board and make real differences in outcomes for carers at Arafmi and in the broader community we would love to hear from you. Please read the information sheet to find out more about this opportunity. If you are interested in applying to become a member you are asked to complete the application form below by Tuesday, 6 April and then we will be in touch with you. If you have

March 25, 2021 No Comments

Carer Story

Young Carers Survey – Date Extended

Are you a young person aged 9-24 who provides unpaid care/support or spends extra time looking after someone who needs assistance?

If you do, we would like to hear from you!

March 19, 2021 No Comments

Anxiety

Arafmi’s Response to COVID-19

In order to help alleviate any questions or fears you may have about our supports and services during the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have put together some frequently asked questions for you. The overall message we would like to convey is: please don’t worry. We will keep you updated if anything changes. What happens if my regular Support Worker becomes ill? All support workers have been instructed not to come to work if they become ill. Currently, all Arafmi staff are healthy and well and are aware of all the protocols around staying well and reducing infection. Arafmi have got a large pool of staff so we will endeavour to find you alternative support. We may need to change your shift time to provide this but please bear with us if this occurs. We will place priority on clients who are at risk of abuse or neglect. If we need to change your shift, we will communicate directly with you. Once your regular support worker has medical clearance to return to work, they can continue to provide you with your required supports. What if I become ill? If you are experiencing any flu like symptoms, please advise your support worker and notify the Arafmi office staff as soon as practical. Please also advise

March 14, 2020 No Comments

Anxiety

You are not alone this Christmas

Christmas is a festive and joyful time for some, but unfortunately it can be a difficult and challenging time for others. Loved ones and carers may have unpleasant memories of previous Christmas seasons or they may feel surrounded by triggers such as alcohol and noise. Not everyone has a family or close friends to spend Christmas with and loneliness may be felt more strongly than usual. Carers have to deal not just with their own expectations and hopes for Christmas but also with their loved ones. If you are one of those carers, we understand that this can be stressful, so it’s important to be kind to yourself and look after yourself. Please remember that there are services out there still operating during the Christmas period and if it all gets too much, please call the Arafmi support line and we will welcome and support you. You are not alone. Here is a link to some available services in Brisbane over the Christmas period. 24 Hour Helpline If you have any questions about this article or need someone to talk to, you can call Arafmi any time of the day on 07 3254 1881. It’s comforting to know that when you

December 13, 2019 No Comments

Young Carers in Australia

National Carers Week and Queensland Mental Health Week 2021

Carer Consultation – Queensland Health’s New Plan for Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs

National Volunteer Week

National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) Queensland Carer Representative

Arafmi Digital Connection Program

Arafmi Carer Advisory Committee

Young Carers Survey – Date Extended

Arafmi’s Response to COVID-19

You are not alone this Christmas

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