Support groups are a tried and true way of providing emotional, physical, educational and social support. They can be valuable for carers as they offer you connection with other carers who may have similar experiences and enable you to share knowledge about services, tips and tricks. It’s always a relief to know you’re not alone.
Our groups are also safe spaces to share your story where there is no judgement, only a willingness to support each other.
A group facilitator ensures privacy and confidentiality while guiding each session. Facilitators might also help keep members up-to-date with new developments or arrange guest speakers on topics of interest to the group.
We host a range of diverse support groups in the ACT ranging from general carer support groups to more specialised groups such as mental health carers, mature aged carers, kinship carers and multicultural groups. See summary below and more details further down this page.
Phone: 6296 9975
Email: support.groups@carersact.org.au
Download the Support Groups the latest dates, times and venues of our groups.
We can arrange replacement care and/or transport to make sure you can attend a group. Contact us on 1800 052 222 for assistance.
Carers ACT has partnered with Marymead Autism Centre to provide support groups for carers of people with ASD. Participants can share stories, challenges, solutions and strategies with others in a safe space.
Yarralumla | 7pm to 9pm on the second Thursday of each month at Marymead, Rheinberger Centre, corner of Weston & Loch Streets Yarralumla. There is no need to register prior to this event, for more information contact Deanne on 6162 5800.
This is a monthly meeting for all carers located on the north side of the ACT. The group is usually held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Carers ACT Holt office.*
This is a monthly meeting for all carers located on the south side of the ACT. The group is usually held on the second Tuesday of each month, call for information on the location and time.*
The Mental Health Carer program hosts two carer support groups a month, one located on the north side of Canberra and one on the south side of Canberra. These groups provide an opportunity for carers to talk freely about how their caring situation impacts on their life. If you are interested in more information about these groups, please call our advisory service on 1800 242 636.
A new group for parents of people with a mental illness. An opportunity to share the frustrations and fears of caring for a child with a mental illness as well as some of the achievements and the paths to recovery. A group for parents regardless of how long they’ve been in the caring role or the age of their child. If you are interested in more information about these groups, please email support.groups@carersact.org.au
A support group for people who have taken on the care of their grandchildren, nieces or nephews, cousins or other members of their extended or created family. The group is a safe space to share what is happening for you, the struggles and the successes, and perhaps pick up a tip or two. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 10am to 12noon at Carers ACT, 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt.
A group of carers over the age of 45 caring for people with disabilities. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month to share experiences of their caring role, including working with the NDIS. The group will sometimes meet more regularly to discuss changes happening in the sector or to host a guest speaker. Call us on 6296 9975 if you are interested in joining this group.
A support group for carers of people with Borderline Personality Disorder. The group meets on the first Monday of each month to share experiences of their caring role, including working with the NDIS. Call us on 6296 9975 if you are interested in joining this group.
*At times it is required for the dates to be changed.
We also support a number of peer groups that meet regularly. Some are purely social groups, some have regular speakers on topics of particular interest to that group.
This group meets on the first Friday of each month and alternates between venues in Woden and Belconnen. The group has regular guest speakers and is supported by bilingual coordinators. If you’re interested in joining this group or just wish to find out more, email us support.groups@carersact.org.au or call 6296 9975 during business hours.
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month alternating between the Carers ACT office in Holt and the Burns Club in Tuggeranong. The group is coordinated by Jyoti Jalota who can be contacted at jalota@yahoo.com or on 6251 6053.
This group meets weekly and is open to all members of the Spanish speaking community. The group has grown from a carer support group but still includes people who have been carers for some time and actively supports carers.
The Hungarian Carers Support group meet for lunch on the first Tuesday of each month in North Canberra. If you are interested in coming along, please call 6296 9975 for more information.
This group meet on the second Friday of each month, usually at the Carers ACT office in Holt. The group has regular craft activities and occasional trips away, such as race days etc. The group is coordinated by an independent organisation and supported by Carers ACT but happily welcomes other carers to their craft sessions.
For further information on any of our support groups, please call us on 6296 9975 or email support.groups@carersact.org.au
