Get more support with Wellways - Connecting Carers

Wellways Australia Limited is a leading not-for-profit mental health and disability support organisation with services in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. Their services span mental health, disability and community care, and reach thousands of people each year.

Wellways work with a diverse range of people living with mental health issues or various disabilities. They connect people, strengthen families and transform communities. Wellways work with individuals of all ages experiencing disabilities or challenges to their social and emotional wellbeing. This can include creating a home, securing a job and building meaningful relationships.

Below is a firsthand experience one mum had with WellWays:

“The program I gained funding in is through Carers Gateway with Wellways. I called 1800 422 737 and ran through some questions. Jack, as a Young Carer and I were then approved for an intake interview with a Carer Support Worker.

Jack and I did our intake interviews together answering questions and giving them a 1-5 ranking based on how we were each coping. Our Carer Support Worker then talked through with us different support options. From what I was told, they fund a service or a one-off support. The Service may be respite, in home assistance, cooking/cleaning or a holiday program for Jack etc. The one-off support item, for example for Jack could have been school supplies or a laptop to help with school work etc. We could only choose service or one-off support so we both chose service.

Jack had a think and asked for tutoring for English. I was responsible for finding a company and having them raise the invoice to Wellways then I forwarded it to our Carer Support Worker. I had a think for myself, and didn't feel like I would gain anything from having a new service come into the home for Charlie as his NDIS package covers all of this. So I looked at options for myself that would help me to maintain my carer role. I spoke with Hamish at Kaizen Exercise Physiology (which is where Charlie goes - hamish@kaizenep.com.au; kaizenep.com.au and he tailored a package for me for 1:1 30 minute sessions for the remainder of the year (from June). I was then confident enough to join his Thrive 45 program and now attend 2-3 of those sessions (self-funded) on top of my 1:1 per week. I also wanted to take better care of my eating habits so talked with Suse from Cook Nourish Heal suse@cooknourishheal.com.au; cooknourishheal.com.au and she put together an invoice to cover 2 meals/salad/veggies each week. These are all nutritionally prepared, and fantastic when I'm extra busy.”

To find out more about how WellWays may be able to help you look at the Wellways Carers Gateway.

What is Carer Gateway?

Carer Gateway is a national support service funded by the Australian Government. It provides free support for carers through a network of regional Carer Gateway service providers.

Wellways Australia is the chosen service provider of Carer Gateway services throughout Queensland and the New South Wales regions of South West Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains.

Who can access Carer Gateway? 

If you support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, terminal illness, or is frail aged you can access free supports via Carer Gateway. 

You don't need to be a new carer to use Carer Gateway services – any carer can use the services at any time in their caring journey.
 

What services are available for Carers? 

Carer Gateway gives you access to a range of free services and supports to help you when you are caring for someone else, these include:

Carer directed support

Practical assistance to ensure you have access to the resources you need when caring for someone, such as items to assist in your caring role and short-term respite.

Carer support planning

There are lots of great support services out there and it can feel overwhelming figuring out the best fit for your needs. We can help by identifying the kinds of services which might be most useful and work with you to develop a simple plan for ongoing support.

Counselling

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you can talk it through in a series of one-on-one sessions with a professional counsellor.

In-person peer support

Get together with other carers to catch up, make connections and share stories, knowledge and experience.

Emergency respite care

If something urgent or unforeseen happens that prevents you from being able to be there for the person you support, we can make sure the person you care for will be looked after.

Online support

Carers can also access online counselling, carer forums and self-guided coaching sessions via carergateway.gov.au.

OTHER WELLWAYS SERVICES:

NDIS

Wellways is a registered NDIS provider offering mental health and disability support and services. They have the knowledge to assist you in the NDIS eligibility and planning processes, together with the expertise to coordinate your NDIS plan and deliver the services you need.

Your health and wellbeing

Wellways support you in making positive changes, improving your wellbeing and building the life you want. This might include making a home, engaging in meaningful work or study, or connecting with others. Wellways works with you, your family, friends and carers, and the wider community to help you achieve this. 

Being part of a community

Having a sense of connectedness and belonging makes a big difference to wellbeing. Wellways helps you identify your interests and how you want to connect with others, including family, friends and carers, and your community. They can help you connect with others and find activities, events and resources local to you.

Maintaining a home

Having a home is important to everyone. Wellways will work with you to identify your needs and assist you in finding and maintaining a place where you can feel comfortable and safe.

Work and learning

Wellways can assist you in understanding your employment or study goals and help you build skills and confidence to return to work or study.

Support coordination

The Wellways experienced staff work with you, the community and health services, and key people in your life, to develop and deliver an individualised plan that addresses your needs and goals for the future.

Helpline

Helpline is a volunteer support and referral service that provides information to people experiencing mental health issues, as well as their family, friends and carers. They can help you if are feeling socially isolated, seeking information about mental health or services, or simply need someone to talk to. Everyone working on Helpline has a lived experience of mental health issues, whether personal, or as someone who cares for a family member or friend.

Acquired brain injury

If you have sustained an acquired brain injury, Wellways can provide responsive and innovative support options to assist your participation in the community. The Wellways Headway service in North West Tasmania and their HealthCall services in New South Wales, ACT and Queensland, provide a range of supports to foster successful participation in the community. Headway’s services include psychosocial and community rehabilitation to meet the needs of individuals, including counselling for clients and families and referrals to other services as needed. HealthCall’s services span a range of in-home and community supports, including personal care, home help, community access, recreation and respite.

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