Carer Respite Support

What we do

CBCHS provides free information and carer groups to carers who live in Bayside Peninsula and Southern Melbourne Metropolitan region.  This includes local government Bayside City, Cardinia Shire, Casey City, Frankston City, Glen Eira City, Greater Dandenong City, Kingston City, Monash City, Stonnington and City of Port Phillip.
Every caring journey has its challenges.  Maintaining your own health and wellbeing is important.  We can help you connect to carer services in your area and link you into carer respite events or groups.

Who is a carer?

You may hear people being referred to as an unpaid carer or a family carer or someone providing informal supports.  This means caring is not their job but something they do as a spouse, partner, parent, sibling or even as a friend, neighbour or young carer.  You don’t have to be related to someone to be their carer.

Carers support people in a range of ways. Unlike parenting where a child will become independent, unpaid carers look after someone who needs assistance to keep living at home. Attending appointments, transport, cooking, organising medication, shopping and personal care are all activities a carer may undertake.  In some cases, this is a fulltime unpaid job.  With help, some carers also work, study and continue to care for their care recipients.

Services Available

We provide Support for unpaid Carers (State-funded) services:

• Events for carers focusing on education, peer support and social connection
• We also provide information on how to access respite services, resources and supported activities
• Support for carers to focus on their own needs and personal goals
• Information and assistance to connect carers with the right support services.

Carer Groups & Events

• Social groups that provide an opportunity for like mind carers to connect, share experiences and information.
• Groups for carers with specific culture needs
• Health and wellbeing activities i.e. yoga, walking group
• Carer outings and various opportunity for carers.

The aims and benefits of the Carer Respite Support Program

• Assist with respite to meet individual needs to benefit the carer and / or the person being cared for
• Improve quality of life for the carer, the person being cared for and their family
• Link carers with local support services and groups
• Enable carers to continue in their caring role
• Contribute to a better understanding of the importance of the carer and the significance of the caring role
• Provide support and information to carers to help them in their caring roles
• The chance to take a break from caring to do something for your own wellbeing
• Connect with other carers for support, activities and new friendships
• Re-invigorate health and wellbeing.

How to contact us

Please register with us as a carer and then we will contact you to discuss further:-

• Eligibility
• Carer events and support groups avalible for you to access through our service
• Provide information regarding other carer services.

To register with us for carer groups, services and events please click here

For further information please call us on 8551 7101 or email carers@cbchs.org.au
If you require an interpreter, please call Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 to arrange a call to speak with us.

Emergency Respite

For emergency respite and after-hours support call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737

www.carergateway.gov.au has many online options to help reduce the strain of caring. These include peer support, self-guided coaching, phone-based counselling and practical skills courses.

Carers Victoria

Carers Victoria offers a range of services and programs to help carers.
For more information please call 1800 514 845 or go to their website https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/

CBCHS acknowledges the funding provided by the Victorian Government to run this program.