Central Coast ARAFMI has been providing support to mental health carers for more than forty years.
We know that caring can be a joyful experience, but some days it can feel sad, lonely or a little overwhelming. You don’t need to do it alone, we are here for you.
Central Coast ARAFMI has been providing support to mental health carers for more than forty years. We recognise and support the valuable contribution that carers make to their families, and the broader community.
How we support people who care for others
Central Coast ARAFMI works from the principle that the carer is the expert in their own lives. We aim to walk alongside you in your journey, providing support that is highly personalised to your specific needs.
We have a designated worker who is dedicated to supporting families, working holistically within the family unit. We support people who care for others by providing:
Carer Counselling You might need to talk to someone who understands. You may need information on a specific diagnosis or information on how to access the mental health system. You may need strategies on dealing with certain behaviours or ideas on how to communicate effectively with your loved one.
We welcome carers to reach out for phone or face-to-face counselling (by appointment—available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). Learn more about Carer Counselling here.
Carer Groups Outings With our support worker, carers can connect with others through events such as day trips, cinema events, camps and family fun days.
Carer Support Groups With our support worker, carers can connect with others and learn new skills in our friendly training and education sessions.
Share and Care Group meets at Kincumber at 9:30am on the last Wednesday of the month.
Wellness Walk Group meets at Woy Woy Waterfront on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Kinship Carers Group meets at Kincumber every 2nd Thursday, and at Narara every last Thursday of the month.
Please note, groups do not meet up during school holidays.
"Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement.”
BRENE BROWN
Who is a Carer?
A carer is someone who provides support to a family member or friend who is has a mental illness, disability or chronic condition. Their role may be ongoing, or it may be irregular and dependent on the individual needs of the person they care for. There is no one size fits all approach to being a carer. The fact is, carers may do one (or a number) of a great variety of things, including:
Social assistance: (helping the person to participate in community activities, linking them in with services and resources, advocating for their interests)
Financial Assistance: (help to pay for day to day costs, or to cover accommodation expenses)
Emotional Assistance: (keeping someone company, acting as a listening ear, providing them with encouragement)
Practical support: (transport assistance, accompanying them to appointments, helping with personal care and household chores)
Why we support Carers
Australia has 2.65 million carers, that's 12% of the population. The chances are you personally are a carer, need a carer or know a carer.
People who care for others, sometimes need support for themselves to help:
To identify ways that they can best support their loved one
To balance their caring responsibilities with their own personal needs
To manage their own mental health
Carers are largely unseen and unrecognised for their valuable contribution to families and communities. Part of our work is advocating for the voice of carers to be heard, to influence positive change and more support and recognition of carers.
