Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Victoria

Carers informed, supported, linked

The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres form part of the Commonwealth Government's National Respite for Carers Program. The carer associations in each state and territory are running this service.

The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Victoria is operated by Carers Victoria. (For more information about Carers Victoria go to CVic's website).

Carers have often talked of the difficulties they experience in finding the information they need because it comes from many different sources. The aim of the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Victoria is to provide a centralised contact point for carers seeking information.

The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Victoria is a statewide service operating Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. It provides the following free services:

Carer Assess Point - Freecall number 1800 242 636

• Information, referral and advice
• Carer Information Kit in English and 10 community languages
• Multilingual information in 16 community languages (interpreting assistance provided)
• Links to carer support groups, support and service organisations
• Publications, newsletter and brochures
• Information packages specifically tailored for the Indigenous communities and carers

Library

• Books, kits, videos and journals on caring and care issues
• Reply paid mail service available for carers
• Visits by appointment

Education and training for carers

• Information sessions
  - Services and entitlements
  
  
• Education and skills development
  - Self care
  - Carer loss and grief
  - Change and transition in caregiving
  - Self-advocacy
  - Planning for respite
  - Carer support group facilitator training
  - Collaborative education with partner organisations

Education and training for service provider

• Impact of caring on individuals and families
• Carer loss and grief
• Promoting carer health and wellbeing
• Working with Indigenous carers
• Self-advocacy for carers
• Change and transition in the care journey (Programs are tailored to suit the organisation's needs)
  

Education and training for volunteers

• Impact of caring on individuals and families
• Carer loss and grief
• Promoting carer health and wellbeing
• Working with Indigenous carers
• Self-advocacy for carers
• Change and transition in the care journey
  

Carer outreach - carer support groups

• Networking, expos, events
• Newsletter articles
• Carer participation in projects
• Collaborative partnerships
• Information sharing
• Public awareness activities
• Support to carer support group facilities (All sessions are conducted in all regions of Victoria)
  

To contact the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre Victoria phone 1800 242 636