Recognising the contributions and efforts of unpaid carers in the Great Southern

As part of their commitment to WA’s regions, Carers WA is visiting Albany this week to provide a range of events and opportunities to carers in the Great Southern.

The visit is part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment and recognition of representation in the regions for carers.

Carers WA chief executive Richard Newman draws a bold line between the distinction of carers and support workers.

“It’s really critical to differentiate between an unpaid family carer,” he said.

“It can be a family member or friends who looks after a loved one with a disability, frail age, drug or alcohol dependency or mental ill health as opposed to someone who has an employment contract or volunteers to do that type of work as an organisation.

“Unpaid family carers are all about friends, family, neighbours, rather than a business opportunity.”

Carers can be as young as eight or well into their senior year, but most caring is done by those under the age of 24.

“We know there’s around 35,000 young carers between ages 8 and 24 right across the State who are doing the bulk of the carrying of responsibility,” Mr Newman said.

“It’s also about the recognition of carers, the contribution they bring to local communities often goes unseen and unheard.”

Carers WA provides counselling, financial support, respite, and social and peer support programs for carers of all ages.

“We also have a number of employment programs which are just as critical for carers who finish their caring role or who want to get out and go back into employment,” Mr Newman said.

Carers can get in touch with Carers WA at carerswa.asn.au or on 1300 227 377.