Carer Support

Alfred Health Carer Services – Directory Information

At Alfred Health Carer Services, we support people who care.

Who we care for:

We give information, support and resources for carers who provide ongoing unpaid personal care or support to someone who has a disability, mental illness, chronic (long-term) illness, aged related condition, or someone receiving palliative care.

What we do:

Alfred Health Carer Services provides free information and support to carers who live in Melbourne’s southern metropolitan region. This includes local government areas of Port Phillip, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside, Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Casey, Frankston, Cardinia Shire and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Every caring journey has its challenges. Maintaining your own health and wellbeing is important. We can help you find the most useful supports for your situation.

Services available
We provide Carer Gateway (Commonwealth-funded) and Support for Carers (State-funded) services:

  • Support for carers to focus on their own needs and personal goals
  • Information and assistance to connect carers with the right support services
  • Support to access respite and equipment
  • Carer coaching
  • Facilitated peer-to-peer support to enhance carer wellbeing
  • Events for carers focusing on education, peer support and social connection.

We also provide respite services, resources and supported activities for older people with care needs, and their carers, via the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Fees apply for this program.

How to contact us:

  • Call us on 1800 51 21 21, Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pmFor an interpreter, call Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 to arrange a call to speak with us
  • Visit our website www.alfredhealthcarers.org.au
  • For emergency respite and after-hours support call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737
  • www.carergateway.gov.au has many online options to help reduce the strain of caring. These include peer support, self-guided coaching, phone-based counselling and practical skills courses.

www.bipolarcaregivers.org a resource for family, partners and friends of a person with bipolar disorder.

Care Connect Ltd, freecall 1800 692 464 With a comprehensive understanding of your situation, Care Connect will coordinate the services you need to assist you to live happily in your home for as long as you want.  www.careconnect.org.au

Carers Australia Vic 9396 9500, Free Call 1800 514 845,
Email: reception@carersvictoria.org.au
Postal: PO Box 13305 Law Courts VIC 8010
Carers Victoria is the peak body representing all unpaid carers in Victoria, championing all carers across Victorian communities regardless of the nature of the caring role.The Freecall number provides information, support and referral to carers, the public and service providers.  https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/

Carer Gateway  When you call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, you will reach a Carer Gateway service provider in your area. A trained worker will be available to talk with you and then help you to find services and support to meet your needs.

Carer services are available through an Australia-wide network of Carer Gateway service providers at
https://www.carergateway.gov.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8q7R-8-82wIVkgsrCh2WCA-REAAYASAAEgLt1vD_BwE

EACH provides an integrated range of health, disability, counselling and community mental health services across Australia. http://www.each.com.au/service-type/counselling 

Family/Carer Peer Support Service
In Patient Unit
The Alfred
55 Commercial Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
T 03 9076 2000
Family/Carer Peer Support Service
St Kilda Road Clinic
The Alfred
Level 3/ 607 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004
T 03 9076 9888
Further information:
www.alfredhealth.org.au

GROW – Better Together – GROW Community Centre 9528 2977, freecall 1800 558 268, 707 Glenhuntly Road Caufield South Vic 3162,   Our Carer Program, Grow Better Together, encourages and supports caregivers of people experiencing mental illness.  It utilises the same key elements of the Grow Program encouraging carers to further develop their own personal resources, friendships and supports to overcome barriers they experience as part of their caring role.  For more information on our Carer Program, please contact us at 1800 558 268 or email national@grow.org.au
http://www.grow.org.au/vic/

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group 9076 4784, 0425 723 746, email address isfaf@alfred.org.au
We provide support for families and friends caring for a loved one experiencing mental health issues in the inner south region. We also welcome others who may be interested in joining our monthly support group meetings.  Please see our About Us and Meetings and Events pages for more details.

LINK Community & Transport, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to providing in-home, assisted mobility and community services to older and vulnerable members of the community, continues to recognise the thousands of Victorian unpaid carers (partners, family, friends and neighbours) by offering them some well-earned time off through its highly successful outings program. Telephone 1300 546 528
For more information see website: https://www.lct.org.au/

Mental Health Carer Support Fund  is administered by Tandem.  All applications have to be made through and are approved by your local Area Mental Health Service who then forward your application to Tandem for processing. The Mental Health Carer Support Fund aims to meet the needs of family members and friends supporting a person who is receiving services from a Victorian Area Mental Health Service.

It provides funding to assist people in their support role, to promote and sustain the relationship, and improve the wellbeing of families and members of the community performing this role.  http://tandemcarers.org.au/carer-support-fund.php

Mind Victoria, 1300 286 463, Carer Helpline 1300 554 660 operates 9am-5pm Mon-Friday.  Mind offers a range of supports, including counselling and peer support, respite, recreation days, carer education, an online forum and support groups.
https://www.mindaustralia.org.au/search/node/Carer%20support

Offering carers of people with a disability, older person or mental illness an opportunity to attend walking events in Victoria together and to learn more about news, services, and supports available to carers.  See website https://pathwaysforcarers.com.au/

Peninsula Carer Council Inc 1300 550 962, provides support, and resource information to carers of people with a mental illness on the Mornington Peninsula and advocates on their behalf regarding issues of concern to carers.  www.peninsulacarercouncil.org.au

Relationships Australia Victoria 1300 364 277  aims to provide high quality and comprehensive services that assist families and children to overcome challenges, grow and thrive. https://www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/

Tandem
Reception 03 8803 5555
Carer Advocate 03 8803 5501
Carer Support Fund 03 8803 5504
info@tandemcarers.org.au
Level 1, 37 Mollison Street, Abbotsford Victoria 3067
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues. Tandem’s mission is to provide leadership and coordination for the community of individuals and organisations who seek better outcomes for Victorian mental health carers. tandemcarers.org.au/

Wellways Australia Ltd (formerly Mental Illness Fellowship) Helpline 1300 111 400 , email   offers a wide range of individually tailored services designed to support people affected by mental health issues or disability, as well as their families, friends and carers. Wellways experienced, local staff will help you take charge of your wellbeing, connect with others and participate in your community. https://www.wellways.org/ 
For information about Wellways services and programs see
https://www.wellways.org/our-services