Meet new friends and find support with these peer support, study and tutoring groups happening all over NSW

RAGE - Teenage Boys Anger Workshop - Hawkesbury

There is much about being a young carer that can make you angry and frustrated. These are normal emotions but sometimes they come out in ways that you don't mean or can't control. If you are, or know of, a teenage boy in years 7-12 in high school who is dealing with anger issues then this is an important workshop to know about.  RAGE is designed to help young people recognise their triggers, deal with guilt and come up with ways to express anger in healthy ways. When: Every Tuesday for 6 weeks from 14 October - 18 November 2010 Where: Hall 1 - Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, 20 West Market St, Richmond. More Info: See attached info sheet and call 02 4588 3502 for an application form.

Navigating Teenage Depression Seminars

The pressures and anxieties involved in the caring role can mean that young carers are at particularly high risk when it comes to depression - especially when they live in a remote or rural area. The Black Dog Institute therefore invites parents, teenagers and people who work with young people to a FREE education seminar that will focus on depression, early warning signs, risk factors and how to build resilience. The night will also include light refreshments and live music. Singleton, NSW When: Friday 20 August 2010 Where: Singleton Youth Venue More Info: See Flyer1 below or contact Carey Duggan on 02 6571 4687 Tamworth, NSW When: Thursday 26 August 2010 Where: Tamworth Capital Theatre More Info: See Flyer2 below or contact Chris Rule on 02 9382 8203 Broken Hill, NSW When: Thursday 21 October 2010 Where: Singleton Youth Venue More Info: Contact Chris Rule on 02 9382 8203

 

The Offspring Support Program

Young carers who are living with the diagnosis of a parent with cancer, or who are dealing with the loss of a parent to the disease, now have extra support available thanks to the nib foundation and CanTeen. Starting in October 2010, the Offspring Support Program will be piloted in the Hunter and Northern NSW areas and will provide specialised counselling, information resources, practical skills development, respite, recreation and peer support. For more information, see the website

 

The Carer Safari - Glen Alpine

The Carer Safari recognises that finding information and support in your caring role can be like a jungle sometimes!! This event is open to carers of all ages and will provide information on, and access to, a range of services and supports available to carers in the South West Sydney area. When: 2 & 23 September 2010 Where: Campbelltown Golf Course, Glen Alpine More Info: See flyer below To Register: Call 1800 683 232

Foundations - Bulli

If you are an adult young carer who cares for someone with a mental illness then the Foundations Program offers you a way to increase your knowledge and skills in caring for your relative or friend. When: 1 & 2 September Where: Bulli Community Centre, Bulli, NSW Cost: Free for relatives and friends of people with a mental illness More Info: Contact Lorna Downes on 02 4285 0155 or email lornad@carersnsw.asn.au

Dementia - Adult Young Carers Support Group

When a loved one suffers from dementia, all family members are impacted. Alzheimers Australia recognises the devastating effects dementia has on the children and grandchildren of dementia sufferers and therefore invites these adult young carers to join a support group designed specifically for this age group. Who: Adult young carers aged 18-28 years old When: Third Wednesday of the month // 7-9pm Where: Vincent Fairfax Family Resource Centre, Alzheimers Australia, cnr Cox Rd and Norton Rd, North Ryde More info: Contact Monica Cole on 02 8875 4682 or email mcole@alznsw.asn.au

 

Partners In Depression Support Group

Partners in Depression is a new group program that supports the forgotten allies in the battle against depression - carers. A six week program, Partners In Depression recognises the risk to carers' own mental health when caring for someone with depression. Adult carers (18+) living in the Armidale area are invited to register their interest. When: Weekly from Friday 6 August Where: Armidale To Register: Call 02 6767 7970

 

Lost In A Mind Field

Are you caring for a sibling or parent with schizophrenia or psychosis? Lost In A Mind Field helps to make schizophrenia and other psychosis' more understandable, discussing hallucinations, delusions and withdrawal. By using comics and simple language, Lost In A Mind Field helps to make this puzzling illness a little more clear for young carers who are keen to know more. For more information read the media release below or contact Shrink-Rap Press for details of stockists at srpsales@geko.net.au

Free Respite - Blue Mountains

Do you live in the Blue Mountains and care for an adult (18+) with a mental illness? If so, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Australia (PRA) would like to offer you a few hours of respite each week. The service is free and can be provided in-home or by community access. For more information contact Damian on 02 9690 8986

 

Kids Rock Siblings Program - Blacktown

Do you care for a brother or sister with special needs? Is it sometimes hard to find friends who understand what it's like? If you are 8-10 or 11-12 years old, live in the Blacktown area and would like to meet other kids who DO understand then you are invited to join the Kids Rock Program!! When: One day a week for 6 weeks during public school terms // 3:45-5:15 pm Where: Blacktown More Info: Contact Family Development Services on 02 9620 4194 Cost: Free

Paying Attention To Self - Peer Support Group

Paying Attention To Self  (PATS) is a peer support group for young people, 13-18 years old, caring for a parent with a mental health issue. While having a mental health issue in the family may be confusing or even uncomfortable to talk about, there is no need to feel isolated and alone. By coming together with other teenagers in a similar caring situation,  the PATS group will help you to explore mental health, while identifying the different ways in which young people cope. When: Eight weeks in school terms // every Thursday from 4 - 6pm Where: Ku-ring-gai Youth Development Service, 265 Pacific Highway, Lindfield Cost: Free / Transport costs may also be refunded More Info: Barbara on 02 9024 9000 or David on 02 9416 9824

Social Skills Program - Stop, Think, Do!

When a child has positive interactions with teachers and other children at school, they are not only able to learn better but their resilience is also reinforced across all areas of their life. All children 8-12 years old who live in the Blacktown LGA are invited to take part in the The Stop, Think, Do Program that aims to teach kids ways to make positive choices and decisions, assert themselves positively and cope with negative pressure and bullying. When: Public school terms Duration: 8 weeks // once a week // 3:45-5:15 pm Where: Blacktown More Info: Contact Family Development Services on 02 9620 4194 Cost: Free

Peer support program - Multiple Sclerosis

If you are helping to care for a friend or family member with multiple sclerosis, MS Australia runs a peer support program in each state which you may be interested in.  The program matches you with a trained peer support worker who knows what it's like to care for someone with MS.  Support is available online and over the phone, 'one-to-one'.

Young Carer Social Group

The South East Sydney Carer Respite and Carelink Centre arun a fortnightly social group for young carers. If you live in either the Sutherland or St George areas, and like the sound of getting together with other young carers to chat and hang out, then contact Ray or Claire on 1800  059 059 or yc@bensoc.org.au to register.

 

Young carer groups - Albury Wodonga

Are you aged between 5 and 18 years and living in the Albury Wodonga area? Do you help care for someone in your family with a long-term illness, disability, mental illness or drug or alcohol problem? Cooinda Family Support Group runs a variety of groups and activities for young carers during the school term. Financial assistance is available as well. Albury Group When: Tuesdays (5-9 years) and Thursdays (10-18 years) Cost: $4 per session per child Wodonga Group When: Mondays (5-9 years) and Wednesdays (10-18 years) Cost: $4 per session per child Contact: Cooinda Famiy Support Group on 02 6056 4844

 

Young Carer group - Wagga Wagga

Are you at primary school and living near Wagga Wagga?  Do you help look after someone in your family who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or drug & alcohol problem? If yes, there's a young carer group meeting regularly in your area. You can share your experiences with other kids your age and have some fun.  The group does lots of activities like craft and pizza nights, cooking sessions, airborne gymnastics. When: First Wednesday of every month (except school holidays) Where: Glenfield Community Centre, Wagga Wagga Cost: Free (though some of the activities may have a cost) Contact: Bernadette at the Riverina Murray Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 or 02 6925 8791

 

Family Drug Support Groups - across NSW

Caring for someone with a drug or alcohol problem can be challenging but it is important to know that you are not alone. If you are 18 or over, and would like to talk to and listen to others struggling with similar problems, then you are invited to join one of the support groups being run by Family Drug Support across NSW. For dates, times and addresses in the following areas, call the appropriate phone number or go to the website. Sydenham - Bob // 0400 362 667 Penrith - 02 4782 9222 Chatswood - Liz // 0417 429 036 or Michelle // 0402 122 563 Coffs Harbour - Theo // 0402 604 354 Newcastle - Charlestown - Jim // 0439 322 040 Newcastle - 02 4782 9222 Byron Bay - Margaret // 0427 857 092 Port Macquarie - Pam // 02 6583 1704 Kincumber  - 0439 435 382 This is not a young carer specific event.

 

Drug and Alcohol - Support for Young Carers - Neutral Bay

When a parent is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem it affects everyone who loves and cares for them. The team at Holyoake recognise this and therefore invite young carers aged 5-17 to join one of their 8 week support groups. The sessions address feelings of guilt, stress and low self-esteem as well as highlighting resources and coping skills. When: ongoing Where: Holyoake, 16 Lindsay St, Neutral Bay Cost: $30 per session // fee negotiable in special circumstances More Info: phone 02 9904 2700 or email holyoake@catholiccare.org

Kids Helpline 'Live' Forums - 13-25 year olds

Do you worry about issues like bullying, coping in hard times and school or study? Then check out the new Kids Helpline 'live' discussion forum where young people like you - 13-25 year olds - can chat online with others (and trained counsellors) about issues that relate specifically to you. Monday: 8pm-11pm Wednesday: 3:30pm-6:30pm Saturday: 10am-1pm More info: Check out their website

 

Young carers study space - Orana

The Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre in Orana has recently opened a new study area for young carers in the region.  You can use a computer with internet access, CDs and DVDs, books and magazines while you're there and a tutor is on even hand to help with school work. So if you need some quiet time to study for exams, do an assignment or just get your homework done -  check it out or join up for their weekly homework study group. Contact: The Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre in Orana on 1800 052 222

 

Now What? Cancer Information for Young People

Are you caring for a parent or a sibling living with cancer? It can be scary and confusing and sometimes information is hard to either find or understand. Now What? is a website designed by CanTeen for young people like you, full of easy to understand information about different cancer types, treatments, tests, dealing with home life and lots more. And there are lots of stories from other young people living with or caring for someone with cancer so you can feel less alone. CanTeen have also produced three fantastic books specifically for young carers; Dealing with your parent's cancer; Dealing with your brother or sister's cancer or; Living with the death of your parent or brother or sister from cancer. To have a look, order a book or to connect with other young carers, check out the Website

 

Family Connections Program for Adult Young Carers

Family Conections is a time-flexible, correspondence-based family support program designed specifically for carers of a relative with psychosis. Participants are provided with practical information about psychosis, its management, mental health services, and the journey to recovery for the carer, as well as how to understand and assist a relative’s recovery. All material is delivered by mail and can be completed at one’s own pace and convenience. Cost: Free - but spaces are limited so advisable to call soon if you are interested. More Info: Click here, or call 1800 153 340. For an example of the program information, click the newsletter below.

Hints For Healing - Refugee Youth Magazine

Hints For Healing is a fantastic E-Magazine that explores the experiences of, and ways to support, refugee children in Australia. The latest issue focussed on young carers and the Young Carer Team here at Carers NSW were delighted to be interviewed for it.... Click here to read more