Carer support - Families of Veterans Guild

Understanding the role of a carer

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:28:00 +0000

What defines a carer and how can you determine if you are one?

If you are providing ongoing support to a loved one whether a spouse, parent, friend or relative, you may be a carer, even if you don’t yet identify with that label. Many people gradually take on caregiving responsibilities without even realising. If you are helping someone with a disability, chronic illness or mental health condition, recognising yourself as a carer is the first step in accessing important resources and support available for your wellbeing.

What it means to be a carer

Being a carer involves much more than occasional help. It means providing ongoing assistance to someone who can no longer manage certain tasks independently. This might involve helping with personal care such as bathing or dressing, managing medications or assisting with transportation.

For carers of veterans or war widows, there may also be responsibilities associated with managing mental or physical health challenges that arise from Defence service. The care you provide could be full-time or just a few hours each day, but it’s the regular and consistent nature of your involvement that defines you as a carer.

Carers often fall into their role gradually, as the needs of their loved one increase over time. In other cases, a sudden illness or injury puts someone into the role unexpectedly. Regardless of how it happens, many carers don’t view themselves as such, because they see their actions as simply fulfilling familial/social roles as a loved one. However, identifying as a carer can be an empowering realisation, allowing you to reach out for the support you deserve.

Why it matters

Recognising yourself as a carer is an important step toward accessing support. This is especially critical when caring for veterans who may have complex medical or psychological needs. As a carer, you can tap into a wide range of services designed to ease your responsibilities.

For instance, carers of the elderly can find themselves juggling multiple emotional, physical, and practical duties. Identifying as a carer allows you to access government and non-government support programs, financial assistance, emotional and peer support, all of which can help prevent burnout and ensure you are caring for yourself as well as your loved one.

If you think you might be a carer, take a moment to reflect on the support you provide and consider how identifying as a carer could benefit you and your loved one. Whether it’s accessing resources, connecting with a support network, or simply recognising the significance of your role, taking this step can make a meaningful difference to your wellbeing. Don’t hesitate to reach out to local services or community groups to learn more about the help available because caring for yourself is just as important as caring for others.

What’s next after taking the first step of identifying as a carer? To reach out for support and find resources that resonate with you and your current situation contact the social work and wellbeing team on 02 9265 6577 or wellbeing@fov.org.au.

Visit carergateway.gov for access to carer specific resources and further information on how to be prepared, find support, and connect and develop as a carer.

The post Understanding the role of a carer first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Yoga for Canberra ADF Families

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:46:44 +0000

ADF families in Canberra are invited to join this free yoga session

Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? We warmly invite families of veterans to join us for a yoga session in Canberra on Friday 8 November 2024.

Families of veterans can sometimes experience overwhelm when balancing the demands of supporting family, the impact of ADF service and/or in caring roles due to illness, injury and transitions. Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing events. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of Defence life. The purpose of this event is to encourage the families of veterans to engage in self-care activities and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Enjoy a gentle yoga experience

Defence and Veteran Families are invited to come together for a yoga session. Join Eli Haski, owner of Canberra Yoga Space for a gentle practice of yoga. We will breathe, bend, stretch and strengthen together to open up the body and let blood, heat and energy flow. This accessible practice will help your to open up chest and hips, relax neck and shoulders, soothe your back and strengthen your belly. We will bring it all together at the end with a long relaxation meditation so that you can feel relaxed, rejuvenated and deeply rested. The class will end with tea and light refreshments.

Wear comfortable clothing and bring along a water bottle and a hand towel to place over soft props. Please note that the yoga studio is up a flight of stairs and participants would need to be able to get up and down off the floor with ease. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have injuries or problems with movement, kneeling or hands and knees position.

There is no cost for this event. Your yoga class and light refreshments will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to Wellbeing events said “I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to connect with such a wonderful group of women. It was such a great opportunity to do a self-care activity and get to know some of the other attendees at the same time.”

Event information

Location: Canberra Yoga Space, Level 1, Suite 6/13 Botany Street, Phillip ACT 2606
Date and Time: Friday 8 November 2024, 10am – 12pm
Registrations: OPEN NOW. Registrations close 1 November
Cost: FREE for families of veterans

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Yoga for Canberra ADF Families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Online art experience for defence families

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 05:10:18 +0000

Defence and veteran families can register for a free virtual art session

Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? We warmly invite families of veterans to join us for an online art experience on Friday 22 November 2024, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

Families of veterans can sometimes experience overwhelm when balancing the demands of supporting family, the impact of ADF service and/or in caring roles due to illness, injury or transitions. Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing events. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of Defence life. The purpose of this event is to encourage the families of veterans to engage in a self-care activity and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Art Experience

Facilitated by qualified social worker Gabby Steel and supported by Manager for the social work and wellbeing program, Lisa Stephenson, this 2-hour creative art experience aims to support peer connection, self-reflection and increased wellbeing online. We will come together to paint (cultivate) a flower on a small canvas reflecting what you are grateful for in this present moment. The completed artwork will serve as a reminder to pause and reflect on your daily self-care commitment.

There is no cost for this event. You will be posted an art package to be used on the night by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees of our art sessions said “I was pleasantly surprised to connect with other veteran family members through the shared artwork we created. The relaxed atmosphere created a sense of community and mutual understanding of the challenges that come about as family members of veterans.”

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (Link will be emailed to you)
Date and Time: Friday 22 November 2024, 6.30pm-8pm
Registrations: OPEN NOW. Registrations close 8 November
Cost: FREE for families of veterans

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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Kokodama workshop Canberra

Kelly Taylor — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:18:57 +0000

Join us for the making of your own unique kokodama!

Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? We warmly invite families of veterans to join us for our Kokodama Workshop in Canberra on Friday 25 October 2024, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

Kokodama workshop

Defence and Veteran Families are invited to come together for our Kokodama workshop. Kokodama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil wrapped with string. This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through the process of craft making. The Kokodama workshop will be facilitated by artist, Annette Boyd. Annette uses natural materials to create beautiful handmade sculptures, hanging pots and home décor. She is a trained teacher and regularly teaches short courses at CIT.

Morning tea will be served alongside the craft experience.

There is no cost for this event. Your Kokodama workshop and morning tea will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Event information

Location: Downer Community Centre, Unit 4/6 Frencham Place, Downer ACT
Date and Time: Friday 25 October 2024, 9.30am-11.30am
Registrations: OPEN NOW. Registrations close 18 October
Cost: FREE for families of veterans

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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Carer support group Canberra

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:28:05 +0000

Join us for our carer support group in Canberra

We warmly invite carers to join us for our carer support group in Canberra during National Carers Week on Sunday 13 October 2024, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

National Carers Week (13 to 19 October 2024) is a time to recognise, honour and raise awareness about the 3 million Australians who provide care and support to a family member or friend.

Families of veterans can be in a variety of caring roles and may experience overwhelm or carer burnout. It can be challenging to balance the demands of supporting loved ones and caring for self. Defence life impacts families when there is service-related illness or injury or when the family experiences many adjustments and transitions.

Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing events. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that carers may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of Defence life. The purpose of this event is to encourage carers to engage in self-care activities and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Are you a carer? A carer is any individual who provides ongoing unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has additional needs, disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail due to age.

Support group

Defence and Veteran carers are invited to come together over Devonshire Tea and connect during Carers Week. This gathering offers a comforting space to share stories, exchange valuable knowledge, and draw strength from one another’s experiences. Engaging in these meaningful conversations can serve as a powerful reminder that you are not alone in your journey.

This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through a shared experience. The event will be facilitated by Program Support Officer Kerrie-Anne Teo.

There is no cost for this event. Your Devonshire tea at Kitchen Garden Rodney’s will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to Wellbeing events said “I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to connect with such a wonderful group of women. Whilst our caring journeys are all different, it’s incredible how sharing our experiences can foster such deep, meaningful connections.”

Event information

Location: Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s, 24 Beltana Rd Pialligo
Date and Time: Sunday 13 October 2024, 10am – 12pm
Registrations: OPEN NOW. Registrations close 8 October
Cost: FREE for families of veterans

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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