Peer support
Meet other carers, share your experiences and learn from each other.
What is it?
This is an opportunity for carers to connect, share their experiences and learn from each other.
In-person peer support groups are an opportunity to meet other people in a similar caring role. With the support of a facilitator who has their own carer experience. Groups explore common issues and concerns for carers and share ideas for managing challenges.
You can do this with people in your area, or you can join The Carer Forum – find out more under 'More information'.
Who can use this service?
All carers can access Carer Gateway services.
You are a carer if you are looking after someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age.
Any carer can use these services at any time in their caring journey.
Location
Varies – in Victoria, Carer Gateway services are provided at many sites and locations including metropolitan and regional areas. The Carer Forum Online is only a click away at https://forum.carergateway.gov.au/s/
To find out more, contact our team.
Get in touch
Call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time or request a call back here.
More information
Who are carers?
You are a carer if you are looking after someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age.
What is The Carer Forum online?
The Carer Forum is open online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It provides a safe, anonymous space to connect with other carers and support each other. It’s where Australian carers can meet others facing similar challenges in their caring roles.
Everyday you’ll find support and sharing, goodwill and guidance.
What other Carer Gateway services are available?
- Counselling – if you are feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, a counsellor can talk with you either in person or over the phone in the comfort of your own home.
- Connect with other carers – you might like to meet with people like you who care for someone and share stories, knowledge and experience. You can do this with people in your area or you can join the carer forum online.
- Respite Care – if you get sick or hurt and you cannot look after someone, emergency respite services can help you. Service providers will find ways to look after the person you care for while you have a break. Planned respite care can also help you plan for regular breaks to rest and recharge.
- Self-guided coaching – you can work through interactive online coaching sessions at your own pace. You can find a range of topics to help you in your caring role.
- Skills courses – you can use these short online courses to help you to learn new skills in caring for someone and yourself.
- Practical help and advice or information about financial support on the Carer Gateway webpages.
You don't have to know exactly what to ask for – you can just talk through any problems you are having, and Carer Gateway staff will try to match you with services that can help.
Who will deliver these services?
Each region in Australia has a Carer Gateway service provider. This means that the person you talk to knows what support and services are available in the area.
In Victoria, Carer Gateway services are provided by a group of seven health and social support providers. Led by Merri Health, the group includes Alfred Health, Ballarat Health Services, Barwon Health, Bendigo Health Care Group, FamilyCare, Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) Ltd.
Collectively, we have more than 100 years of experience supporting carers in Victoria.
I already receive carer support through another provider. What happens now?
If you are currently receiving carer support from another provider, you will transition to Carer Gateway. Your current service provider will support you in this transition.
You can also ask about other services you might need by calling Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
Where can I find out more?
Everything you need to know about carer support is available by visiting the Carer Gateway website or calling 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time. You can also request a call back here.
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative.
