CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 15
AFFORD OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO BE CONNECTED For many carers the idea of using the internet as a means of contacting people, making appointments and researching information may seem like an unreachable goal. But getting connected may be easier then you think! Thanks to the work of our Grants and Fundraising Coordinator, Toni Preston, Afford has been given an Australian Government grant from ‘Be Connected’, that will allow our carers to update their tech skills. All sites will be receiving iPads and be given the opportunity to learn how to get connected in the form of simple online training. The training can help you to: • Learn the basics and realise the full potential of going online • Keep up to date with what is happening in your community and around the world • Find old or new friends who share your interests and hobbies • Be safe while you are online • Talk to family and friends who live far away more often • Learn how to shop online, safely and securely Getting online for the first time can seem hard, and may feel like its not right for you, but there are many reasons for using the internet such as: • Keeping in touch with people • Sharing special moments with your friends and family • Filling in forms • Ordering food • Shopping online, including for your groceries • and much, much more! Courses covered are: • The essentials • Get to know your device • Getting started online • Safety first • More online skills • Connecting with others To get involved, speak to the Team Leader directly at your site to find an upcoming training session. Events will be held across our Afford sites from the 14th - 20th of October. Let’s, get connected!
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 15
carers SUPPORT GROUPS Did you know there are Carer Support Groups available in your local community for you to join? You are never alone! Check out the below links to find like minded cares near you:
qld
Join support groups and find friends online via this link: www.carersqld.com.au/supportservices/support-groups/
NSW
Join support groups and find friends online via this link: www.carersnsw.org.au/how-we-help/ support/csg/
vic
Join support groups and find friends online via this link:
WRITTEN EXPRESSION Journaling provides a way to channel difficult feelings into healthy and creative outcomes. It is a written expression of your thoughts, experiences and observations. As a carer life is often busy and it can be hard to find time to reflect, journalling can give you an opportunity to stop and write down your thoughts and feelings. You may think, but how does writing down my feeling on paper really help me? Research has shown journaling can improve cognitive functions, strengthen your immune system and help with stress management. When we write about our thoughts and feelings, we need to make sure we aren’t always writing about the negative things in our life as this can cause more stress. It is important to find the balance, while still acknowledging what has gone wrong in your life lately, ensuring you end your journal entries with the things that you appreciate and give you a sense of hope. There are plenty of ways to get started: • Shop the stationary – using a nice book and pen that you like can create excitement • Write in the mornings • Not a writer? You can use an app, use your notes on your phone or a laptop! • Write in short sentences • Write every day, even if you don’t want to • Don’t know what to write? What about the now, how you feel, your relationships, your work, your goals etc. • Prompts! You can buy journals with prompts for you to answer about your day, journaling done! • Keep it private, your journal is for you Give it a go! Journaling can improve your general wellbeing – what have you got to lose?
https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/ support-groups
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 15 CELEBRATING NATIONAL CARERS WEEK WHY WE CARE National Carers Week is held annually on the 13th - 19th of October. It is a week to celebrate the importance of carers and the significant role they play every day. This year’s theme is ‘Why We Care’. Carers are encouraged to tell their stories about why they care, and can submit their stories via the website: www.carersweek.com.au/tell-us-why-you-care/ In Australia, we have over 2.7 million carers who make a huge contribution to our communities. “Carers are the most underrated, unpaid and unsupported part of our communities” - direct quote from the Carers Week website by Carina McGarry in QLD. There are so many opportunities to show you care this coming National Carers Week. Get Involved: • Host an event, invite your workmates, friends and family • Look for opportunities to meet like minded carers, and discuss what they do and what supports and services they find helpful, online or at local carers events 1 in 8 Australian employees are carers, creating a carer friendly workplace can be another great way to meet like minded carers. You may not know who else is also a carer at your workplace, so why not reach out to your colleagues? There are resources available online for work & care information packs via this link: www.carersweek.com.au/getinvolved/ We also encourage you to attend our internal events which Afford sites in QLD, NSW and VIC will be holding at each site. Carers can expect invites over the next week via email and invitations sent home with their loved ones. It is a great opportunity to get to know the carers of your loved one’s friends and make new friendships and connections. If you are not a fan of holding your own event, there are still many opportunities to get involved with events taking place all over the country! Head to www.carersweek.com.au/events/ and use the interactive map to find an event near you. You can also get involved online by hashtagging #Carers2019 and tagging @CarersAustralia in your online social media posts. Afford will be posting some special videos on our social media pages during National Carers Week, highlighting the wonderful carers we have in our organisation. Make sure you like us on Facebook to see our wonderful videos throughout the week on www.facebook.com/Afford
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 15
upcoming carers events and activities Keep up to date with info sessions, events and seminars at www.facebook.com/pg/Afford/events/
NSW DETAILS EVENTS Cost - free event Event
QLD DETAILS EVENTS Cost - $120.00 p.p Event
VIC DETAILS EVENTS Cost - free event Event
Carers Day Out 2019
National Carers Week Gala Lunch
Celebrate National Carers Week at the annual Gala lunch and launch event!
Music and Self Care Workshop
11th October 2019
Tickets include drinks, canapes, a two-course lunch, entertainment a photo booth and more!
10:00AM 12:00PM
Carers NSW welcomes family and friend carers far and wide to join us for a day filled with relaxation, wellness activities, information sessions, a BBQ lunch and live entertainment.
15th October 2019 10:00AM 2:00PM Redfern Community Centre, 29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern NSW
RSVP: Register your attendance online here https://bit.ly/2mNGbRL or by emailing commsteam@carersnsw.org. au
11:30AM 2:30PM St Lucia Golf Links, Carawa Street, St Lucia QLD
For more information: https://carersqld.com.au/ news-and-events/gala-lunch/ Call 07 3900 8100
SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY
22nd October 2019 Carers Victoria. Footscray, VIC.
Music affects our mood, energy levels and physical health. This workshop will explore how to choose music that makes you feel good (no solo singing required!) Come and meet like minded carers. More details and to register via Facebook - https:// www.facebook.com/ events/500295237455594/
RIDDLE TIME!
Did you know Afford has some fantastic social media pages where we post, events, giveaways, stories, videos and all the fun things we do?! Ways to stay connected with Afford: • Like us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/afford • Follow us on Instagram - @AffordGram • Follow us on Twitter - @AffordTweets • Follow our YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3PfcqVQNSqtjsoswBxYtfA
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OPT IN to our weekly electronic newsletter – email ‘OPT IN’ to marketing@afford.com.au
Let’s get social media savvy!
Answer: Keyboard
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au