Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is a Carer Friendly House

An important program 'Carer Friendly' helps to make neighbourhood houses more informed, compassionate and inviting spaces for Victoria’s carers.

Designed in partnership with Carers Victoria, with support from the State Government, this educational program will result in more social and support opportunities for over 730,000 Victorians with unpaid caring responsibilities. Carers are ordinary people who attend to the diverse needs of family or friends with disability, terminal illness, long lasting injury or mental health issues.

The Carer Friendly program involves neighbourhood house staff and volunteers undertaking a series of online learner modules which focus on a range of areas such as identifying carers, services available to carers, carer benefits and more.

Once the modules are completed, the neighbourhood house will receive a Carer Friendly decal to display on their front window, signalling to carers that they are welcomed, and that the neighbourhood house is a safe space to share their experiences and seek support.

The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is accredited as a Carer Friendly House.

Bushfire Planning – you and the person you care for

CFA has created a new free, online training module: Bushfire Planning – you and the person you care for.

See an interview with Rebekah who lives in a high fire-risk area and cared for her daughter who has a neurological disorder.

This module is designed as part of a suite for the care sector that also include Bushfire Safety for Workers (previously called Summer Safe Travel) and Bushfire Planning - how to support your clients, under the CFA's Protecting Vulnerable People project.

National Carer's Week

Find out more about National Carers Week, held annually in October.

National Carers Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support to a family member or friend.

Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged – anyone at any time can become a carer.

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

National Carers Week is an initiative of Carers Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and coordinated with the assistance and participation of the National Carer Network.