Expanding the events
Guided by this year’s theme “Care for a Carer: Making carers visible”, Wellways Carer Gateway brought back the annual Carers Breakfast, hosted in Brisbane and introduced the new Carers Lunch which was celebrated in Sydney.
The events recognised the resilience of carers and put their stories, relationships and experiences front and centre; carers got to enjoy a hearty meal, talk to friends and peers, relax and listen to keynote speaker and Wellways’ Director of Family and Carer Services Rachael Lovelock.
Rediscovering who you are beyond caring
The highlight of the events was Rachael’s testimonial, in her presentation titled “When caring became my identity”.
Rachael shared her personal experience with caring since she was a child, discovering the label of carer and owning it, and embarking on her own healing path which would lead her to rediscover who she was beyond the caring role.
“I think of lived experience like a suitcase,” she said. “I carry it with me: experiences I would never have chosen, but also knowledge, strengths and insights that could not have been learnt any other way.
“When understood, supported and used with purpose, lived experience becomes expertise.
“For much of my life, caring became the measure of my worth. Recovery did not ask me to stop loving my family or leave caring behind. It taught me that I am also someone worth caring for.
“I am a daughter, a mother, a sister, a partner, a friend, a leader and a carer. Caring is still part of my identity, but it is no longer the whole of it.”
Wellways CEO Laura Collister said Rachael’s testimonial made carers in the room feel connected and seen.
“Every carer has their own story and their own experience, but I’m convinced there are elements of Rachael’s story that all carers can relate to,” she said.
Celebrating carers
Carers who attended the event, wore their best outfits, took photos and had conversations with peers and got to be taken care of for a morning or an afternoon.
Toowoomba carer Alfina said it was very exciting to see so many carers in the room simply enjoying themselves.
“I just want the carers in the room to know they are amazing in their own journeys and that they’re all doing the best they can,” she said.
Rachael said it had been very exciting getting to extend the event to Sydney and reach out to more carers.
“Carers Week is important because it allows carers to be seen, to share their stories and to shine a light on what’s involved in being a carer that we can take for granted, she said.
“I love this event. It’s great to see the banter in the room, it’s great to see people connect and take time for themselves, and it’s so exciting that we got to do it in two locations this year.”
Care for a carer
Laura said it was important to take the time during Carers Week to make carers feel seen and taken care of.
“This is one week in the year where we take a moment to think about our carers, they’re important throughout the year, but this time allows us to reflect about the work they do, the care and love they demonstrate for the people they care for and the cost of that,” she said.
“Carers often put the needs and wellbeing of the people they care for ahead of their own, this can limit their relationships, they put employment second, it means their wellbeing and life goals can become a bit secondary.
“So we need to support carers in their own right, we need to help them fulfill their own dreams and aspirations and support them in being part of the community in other ways beyond caring.
“This is what Wellways does very well, support carers to care but also in thriving in their own lives for themselves.”
To all carers, Happy Carers Week, we see you and we’re here to walk with you.