December 2024 Community Update
December 2024 Community Update
Dear Carers,
As we near the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve walked together in 2024.
This year has been one of connection. We have focused on responding to the feedback you have provided to ensure the services and programs that we deliver are meeting your needs. We have continued to grow our programs to include the post hospital support service, supports for carers of people who are not eligible for NDIS or My Aged Care, programs to build connection and capability in carers of people with dementia and used technology to form care tribes and support the development of social bonds.
We have taken the time to ensure your voices are influencing policies and programs at the territory and federal levels. We have heard your experience and ideas and have represented your voices nationally in the National Inquiry into the Carer Recognition Act and the formation of the National Carer Strategy and locally in inquiries into loneliness, unpaid work and voluntary assisted dying.
We partnered with you to run our most successful ACT election campaign to date. With your support we reached every candidate, raised the profile of carers, ensured that all parties and candidates were aware of the issues and solutions and achieved agreements with each party and the independents. We successfully achieved an agreement to introduce an ACT Carer Recognition Card, supply land to build a purpose-built carer wellbeing and respite centre, support for a young carer mentoring program, a review of the ACT Mental Health Act and support for the provision of respite beds that enable carers of people with mental illness to have a break. Thank you to everyone who sent an email, raised a conversation, handed out a postcard and promoted the campaign.
This year, we also launched new initiatives, like the Cuppa for a Carer campaign with Two Before Ten cafes, encouraging Canberrans to donate the cost of a coffee to fund essential services like respite, counselling, and wellbeing programs. You can read more about this campaign and other activities in this newsletter. We are also particularly proud of Unconditional. A film directed by a Canberra carer that beautifully and poignantly tells the story of four local life long carers and has had enormous impact on the people who have seen it.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to celebrate milestones like the 20th anniversary of our partnership with Shaw Building Group, whose unwavering support has enriched carers’ lives for nearly two decades. Watch for more details on how you can be involved and support us to say thanks.
As we approach the end of each year I find myself in a reflective space. This year I am thinking a lot about how honoured I am to be able to share in this journey with you all. I have learnt so much about love, patience, kindness, determination, resolve, staring in the eyes of fear, despair and hope from each of you who I have met or interacted with over the year. Thank you for sharing your joy and pain, your triumph and despair, your hope and exhaustion, your love and determination. Thank you for gifting us with your story and allowing us to be your voice.
I also thank the staff at Carers ACT who have tirelessly worked to support carers throughout the year. I have never worked with a more passionate and determined group of people and it is a privilege to stand with you every day.
We wish you a safe and joyful end of the year. The Carer Gateway phone line, 1800 422 737, will be answered throughout the holiday period and will be able to assist with emergency or urgent respite or other support.
Lisa Kelly
CEO
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