Caring for a loved one is the biggest act of love, one that over 640,000 Queenslanders dedicate their lives to each day, yet they’re often unrecognised and unsupported.
1 in 8 people in Queensland provide essential care to a loved one living with a disability, mental health challenges, illnesses or frail due to age, ensuring their wellbeing on top of career, family and personal responsibilities.
People are often unfamiliar with these figures, and although carers describe their role as rewarding it comes with a set of complex and demanding challenges including navigating NDIS and health systems, financial assistance, time management and mental exhaustion that they usually bare in silence. This is where Wellways Carer Gateway comes in.
National not-for-profit Wellways Carer Gateway provides free support tailored for unpaid carers and their needs so they don’t have to do it all on their own.
Through services like counselling, in-person peer support, vocational coaching, facilitated coaching, emergency respite and carer hubs, Carer Gateway provides free support to those who support someone else.
At Carer Gateway the aim is to empower carers, helping them prioritise their health and wellbeing, provide them an inclusive community and helping them achieve their personal goals so they can continue to provide the best care for their people.
One of Carer Gateway’s key services, the Carer Hubs are spaces exclusive for unpaid carers set across Queensland, that allow carers to find a home away from home, access Wellways services or be referred to local partner organisations and their services, connect with peers or simply relax and unwind.
“This is a space where carers can find a community, people who understand the challenges and the triumphs of the caring role. It’s a place of safety and connection,” says Nambour Hub Navigator Erin Taylor.
Caring for someone shouldn’t be a lonely journey, Wellways Carer Gateway wants to walk with carers at every stage of their journey and in any way that carers need so they can feel supported and seen while they give their love and care to someone else.
To find out more about Carer Gateway, visit https://www.wellways.org/our-services/carer-gateway/
