National Carers Week will run from Sunday 11 October to Saturday 17 October, providing an important opportunity to recognise the more than 3 million Australians who provide unpaid care to family, friends and loved ones.
This year’s theme, “Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible”, shines a light on the invaluable contribution unpaid carers make every day and encourages all of us to recognise, support and care for the carers in our families, workplaces and communities.
Many of us know what that caring role looks like. In my own family, my grandmother lived with us for many years. I saw firsthand the love, patience and time that goes into caring for someone you love. It can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be tough, physically, emotionally and sometimes financially.
Too often, carers can feel worn out, isolated or unrecognised. They can put the needs of the person they care for ahead of their own, sometimes without stopping to think about the support they might need themselves.
As the Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers, I know how important it is that carers are recognised, supported and included in the conversations that affect their lives.
National Carers Week is a chance for all of us to do something simple but meaningful. Check in on a carer you know, offer a hand, make time for a cuppa or simply let them know that their work is seen and appreciated. Sometimes the smallest gesture can make a big difference.
I encourage everyone to take a moment during National Carers Week to recognise the carers in your life and show them that what they do matters.
Please contact my office if you would like information about carer support services in your area.
To find out more about National Carers Week, visit www.carersvictoria.org.au.
Warm regards,
Jade Benham MP
