Carer Support Line 1300 554 660
Your Rights

You may be new to Arafmi or have been connected with Arafmi in some way over a number of years. It is important for all carers that we take time to remind everyone about rights, expectations and how to give feedback to ensure safe and supportive services and programs are maintained. 

We ask you to take a couple of minutes to familiarise yourself with the following information. 

As a carer connecting with Arafmi you can expect Arafmi will: 

  • only collect and store personal information that is considered essential for effective operation of Arafmi and the services for carers e.g. contact details for membership database, contact details to send newsletters and reminders for events 
  • will maintain confidentiality within Arafmi at all times 
  • will only release or transmit your personal information if you give relevant consent or we are required to share this by law. e.g. if you would like to be referred to another service we would gain your consent before making the referral and sharing personal details to a third party 
  • ask for your consent prior to recording material in visual and/or audio format. This includes having your consent prior to including images in newsletters, flyers and promotions 
  • ensure when collecting information for statistical and planning purposes we will only collect what is needed for these purposes and de-identify information when personal details are not needed to provide supports 
  • respect individuals’ choice not to share their name and or personal details when contacting Arafmi. We will however explain that we may be limited in what supports we can provide if we aren’t provided with certain details 
  • protect your privacy and make sure personal paper and electronic file / information is stored securely 
  • arrange for you to opt out of marketing and unsubscribe when this is requested 
  • behave honestly and with integrity 
  • provide safe, sensitive and appropriate programs for carers and their networks 
  • respect the opinions of others and approach any differences in opinion in an open and non-judgmental way 
  • receive and listen to your feedback ensuring this is responded to according to relevant policies and procedures 
  • actively seek feedback from carers and involve carers in decision making and planning where possible and appropriate 

We also have expectations of carers which ensure we can provide safe and professional supports for other carers and volunteers and staff at Arafmi. 

Expectations of carers include: 

  • letting us know what supports you need and how you want to receive these (eg over the phone, with an interpreter) 
  • maintain confidentiality when others have shared information of a sensitive and private nature e.g. in a group 
  • letting us know if you are unable to attend an appointment or event so we can try to reschedule an appointment at a convenient time or offer the space to another carer 
  • informing us if any of your relevant personal details change so we can update your records as needed e.g. moved house? changed email? – let us know so you don’t miss out of opportunities, events and information 
  • always treating others with respect and the way you would like to be treated 
  • providing feedback about the supports, programs and information provided. This includes sharing compliments, comments and feedback about any aspect that you are not satisfied with. Getting feedback is the only way we can know what is working well and what needs to be adapted and improved. We will actively seek feedback e.g. through surveys and you can give feedback at any other time. 

Initially if you have feedback to give about any aspects of the programs and supports you can contact the Carer Support Team by 

Phone: 07 3254 1881 
Email: carersupport@arafmi.com.au
Write: PO Box 248 New Farm Qld 4005 

If your feedback is of a sensitive or private nature you can email Frie Robinson (Carer Support Manager) at frierobinson@arafmi.com.au

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can then request a meeting to discuss the matter further with the CEO or their delegate. 

Thank you for taking time to reading these reminders. 

If you would like further information about the above, have any queries or would like to receive a copy of any of the following relevant policies please let us know: 

  • Policy 1.13 Confidentiality and Privacy 
  • Policy1.13.1 Website Privacy Policy 
  • Policy 1.14 Feedback, Complaints and Appeals Policy 

Related Posts:

Untitled design
Carer Event

Arafmi Visits Charleville – May 2023

Arafmi Visits Charleville – 2023 Earlier in the year, Arafmi’s Carer Support Team were invited to Charleville to explore the possibility of developing another support group for mental health carers in the region. Our visit was jam packed with activities, so we were grateful for the support of a great guide and friend of Arafmi who works with vulnerable communities in Charleville, Irene F. Irene helped us to connect with a number of services there and enabled us attend other events, connect with the community, and learn a lot more about the mental health supports on offer in the area. For example, we attended a Reconciliation event hosted by the local First organisation CWAATSICH and participated in activities such as learning how to make Australian sandalwood smudge sticks for smoking ceremonies. Talking with residents there deepened our understanding of their connection to country and of their approach to mental health supports in the community. We also presented at a Biggest Morning Tea event run by the community group Healthy Aging on the outskirts of town at Red Lizard Camping Ground. Connecting with the elders of that community gave us a good history of the town’s development and icons like the

Read More »
staff conference 1
Arafmi Staff

Arafmi Staff Conference 2023

Arafmi Staff Conference 2023 On Thursday, 22 June Arafmi held the annual staff conference in the Marquee at Victoria Park in Herston. It was a beautiful, clear winter day and the venue provided a perfect spot for the meeting as well as lots of delicious food. Over 100 staff came together on the day to hear from a range of speakers. Irene Clelland, CEO opened the conference with an outline of where the organisation is and the achievements we have made. We also met our new Executive Manager – Systems & Advocacy, Katie Acheson who elaborated on her role in the exciting space of providing systems advocacy on behalf of mental health carers. Robert Bland who was instrumental in the beginning of Arafmi in Queensland spoke to our staff about the origins of our organisation and the great progress we continue to achieve. People & Culture Business Partner, Ross Mountford provided helpful sessions covering professional boundaries, resilience and the new HR program, Employment Hero. We were fortunate enough to have a mental health carer join Katie on stage for a Q&A where she shared her carer journey and how she came to find Arafmi. Simon Moore lead the next session

Read More »
Skip to content