Renewed focus on carer support in Gippsland and South-western Victoria

Wellways is delighted to announce its selection to lead two of the Victorian Government’s eight new Family and Carer-led Centres: proudly delivering on yet another Victorian mental health reform initiative.

Family, carers and supporters of people with mental health challenges will be the focus of these new centres, scheduled to open this year.

Working in partnership with Tandem Carers, Satellite Foundation, and Bethany Community Support, the Family and Carer-led Centres will be co-designed and co-led by families, carers and supporters who have lived experience supporting someone with mental health challenges, a key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Wellways will lead services in:

• Gippsland: In close partnership with Tandem and Satellite Foundation

• South-western Victoria: In close partnership with Tandem, Satellite Foundation and Bethany Community Support

More than 60,000 Victorians are currently providing care to a family member or loved one experiencing mental health challenges, with many of them unpaid and unsupported.

Wellways’ commitment to the families, carers, and support networks that assist individuals living with mental health challenges continues to remain pivotal to our service delivery since our inception over 40 years ago as a proud grass roots advocacy group for families and carers.

Rowena has worked with families, services and government in the mental health sector for 15 years, creating dedicated and coordinated support for carers, families and supporters. “Dedicated services for families staffed by peers in the community is a dream come true,” she says.

“This is important stuff; this is the work of community mental health, taking a holistic view of recovery and support.”

“I hope they can go from strength to strength, offering progressive, carer-led supports. These will make a significant difference in people’s lives.”

Wellways CEO Laura Collister says, “We are thrilled to be working together with our trusted specialist partners and the local communities of Gippsland and South-west Victoria to provide families and carers a safe space to seek support and connect with other families and carers who understand the challenges so many face when a loved one is experiencing mental health challenges.”