The Allan Labor Government is helping Victoria's unpaid carers, with grants for projects that aim to create social connections and improve their work and study opportunities.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today opened applications for the Connecting Carers in their Community program, supported by an investment of $900,000 from the Labor Government.
More than 700,000 carers across Victoria provide essential support to family, friends and others with care needs.
Carers Victoria will administer the program, providing grants of between $15,000 and $25,000 to grassroots and community groups delivering local support to carers.
Many carers provide care around the clock, making it difficult for them to access the support they need to look after themselves, engage in work and study or connect with others in their community.
Grant applications are encouraged from small community groups, particularly those delivering support to carers and their families in regional, rural and other areas in Victoria where services might be more difficult to access.
Previous funding rounds have supported projects that increase social connections, including carer support events in Auslan for the deaf community, a gathering in Mallacoota for carers in remote communities and a dedicated program for LGBTIQA+ carers and those that care for LGBTIQA+ people in Wangaratta.
The program will aim to increase local community supports and provide opportunities for social connections for carers where they live and work.
Carer support groups, community groups, community health services, local councils, neighbourhood houses and other grassroots groups are eligible to apply.
Applications are open until 12 July 2024. For more information, visit carersvictoria.org.au.
As stated by Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence
"It's crucial we recognise and support the people who give their all, both physically and emotionally, to care for others."
"We're delivering this grants program for local carer support groups because we know being a carer can be tough, and that social and community connection is critically important to the health and wellbeing of carers."
As stated by Carers Victoria CEO Judith Abbott
"The evidence tells us that social connection is one of the most important things to maintain carer health and wellbeing. Grants like this are so vital because they create opportunities for carers who may otherwise not be able to make those connections."
