Welcome to September 2023
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
Days start to get longer, plants begin to grow and flowers to bloom……with birds chirping early morning and butterflies all around.
It is the season of rebirth, joy and love.
Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a new service dedicated to those who are supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.
- The Connect centres aim to provide families, carers and supporters of all ages with the vital networks they need to keep caring for their loved one while still looking after their own wellbeing.
- Support is free, and no referral is needed to access a Connect centre. They can be accessed in-person without an appointment or via phone or online booking.
Phone: 0429 564 269
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon 9am – 5pm
Tues 9am – 9pm
Weds 9am – 5pm
Thurs 9am – 9pm
Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat 10am – 4pm
Respite Activities:
Every Tuesday of the month –
1st Tuesday: Pathways for Carers Walk/Brunch (Will recommence in February 2024)
2nd “ MIND Brunch, Notorious Cafe, Werribee
3rd “ Carers Vic Walk/Brunch Meet – 9.30am Wedge St Piazza Werribee
(Will recommence in February 2024)
4th “ Watton Group Meeting
NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 15th – 21st OCTOBER 2023:
National Carers Week is a time for all Australians to recognise and celebrate the important contributions the 2.65 million carers make to their families and our community. Caring for others is a vital role in our society that will touch us all at some point in our lives, whether we need to care for a loved one or we find ourselves in need of care.
To celebrate Carers Week this year Carers Victoria have organised for the Flinders Street Station to be lit up in the colours’ of Carers Victoria logo on 15th and again on the 21st to commemorate the first day and the last day of Carers Week.
To find out if there is an event near you celebrating Carers Week go to Carers Victoria website where they show a list of events happening throughout Victoria,
https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/National/CarersWeek or you can contact them on 1800 514 845 or Email [email protected].
THE NEW MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING ACT
This became law on 1st September 2023. There are a range of changes to the rights of families, carers, supporters and consumers in the Mental Health and Wellbeing System.
As we interpret the new Act, we will continue to share it with you in Carers Corner..
Changes to the new Mental Health & Wellbeing Act will deliver a new system that aims to ensure Victorian’s receive the care they need early and closer to home. The new Act focuses on human rights and has new principles to guide service providers and decision-makers to support the dignity and autonomy of people living with mental illness or psychological distress. These changes will support a more responsive, safe and compassionate mental health and wellbeing system for everyone.
Tandem will be doing roadshows across Victoria in late 2023 to talk about the new Act, as soon as we know more, you will know more.
There is also a Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 Handbook available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-act-handbook This handbook includes statements of rights that promote the values, preferences and views of Victorian’s with mental illness or psychological distress. The new principles guide how service providers deliver assessment treatments, care and support. It resets the legislative foundation of the system. It also establishes new roles and entities recommended by the Royal Commission. The Act enables a new opt-out model of access to non-legal advocacy services for people who are subject to compulsory treatment. This will help people with advocacy support when they need it.
CARERS VICTORIA WORKSHOPS:
Carer Support Group Facilitator Training
Do you want to start a carer support group or have you already started one, maybe this workshop is for you.
Free online Carer Support Group Facilitator training ( 2 part program) starting Wednesday 13th September 2023 – 9.30 am – 12.30 pm. finishing Wednesday 20th September – 9.30 am – 12.30 pm.
This two day comprehensive program gives you the tools to establish and lead a carer support group. You will explore the key theory and knowledge you need to set up and facilitate a group, as well as provide some practical tips and advice gained from working with carers for over 30 years. This program is open to those who are considering starting a carer support group or have recently started one.
Please note both sessions must be attended to complete the program.
Contact Carers Victoria events team on 1800 514 845 or email to: [email protected]
Planning a Carer Emergency online workshop:
Tuesday 19th September 2023 – 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm
Do you have an emergency plan for when you might not be available to provide care? During this 90 minute online workshop you will explore what kinds of emergencies carers might plan for, what information you need to share that will best ensure the person you care for will be supported and safe, and assist you to develop your own emergency plan.
Contact Carers Victoria events team on 1800 514 845 or email eventscarersvictoria.org.au
How to stimulate the Vagus nerve
Physical Vagus nerve exercises
These activities all center around one thing:
Manipulating the vocal cord. “The physical reverberation of your vocal cords can activate the vagus nerve:
Gargling: Gargle with water in the morning and evening when you brush your teeth. Aim for 30 seconds to one minute.
Singing: Doesn’t matter if you can carry a tune (or make dogs howl with your pitch), turn on your favorite song and belt it out.
Om-ing: Yes, the same om associated with yoga practice. Sitting in a quiet space, chant a long ‘om’. You should feel a vibration around the ears, which will connect to the vagus nerve. A study in the International Journal of Yoga found that chanting ‘om’ was helpful in deactivating certain parts of the limbic system in the brain involved in stress and emotional responses, such as the amygdala.
Laughing: Watch a funny TV show or movie and actually LOL at the funny parts. Or, get together with that friend who you always get slapstick-happy with to get in an extra good guffaw.
Sweet Potato Appetizer Bites
These sweet potato bites are such a fun party appetizer! You can roast the sweet potato slices in advance, but wait to dice the avocado and make the tartare until the last minute. That way, the avocado will be nice and green when you eat.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced, cut into half moons
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, white or black
Avocado tartare
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice + more for squeezing
¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard ¼ cup diced red onion
1 medium-large ripe avocado Sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet
with parchment paper.
- Slice thin rounds (smaller than ¼ inch, not quite as thin
as ⅛ inch) from the thick middle of the sweet potatoes.
This should yield 14 to 16 rounds.
- Place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet in a single
layer, drizzle with olive oil and pinches of salt and
pepper, and roast for 20 minutes. Turn the slices and
roast for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until tender.
- Make the Avocado tartare: In a medium bowl, whisk
together the sesame oil, lemon juice, mustard, and a
few pinches of salt. Stir in the red onion and set aside.
- When the sweet potatoes are almost done, dice the
avocado and stir it into the tartare along with an extra
squeeze of lemon. Season to taste.
- Top the roasted sweet potato rounds with the
watermelon radish slices and the avocado tartare.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and coarse salt.
Welcome to Autumn 2023
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go!
Already into the New Year March 2023.
Pandemic to Endemic –
After three years of the pandemic the world is learning to live with it and move on.
Carers Week
Walk at Redfliffs Lookout, K Road, Werribee South Followed by lunch at The Views Restaurant.
Special Guests the then Mayor Cr. Peter Maynard along with Cr Heather Marcus and Helen Carr, Carer Educator Carers Victoria.
Seniors Month
Barefoot Bowls at Werribee Bowls Club followed by a bbq lunch and refreshments.
Amanda Burns from Wyndham City Council joined us.
Thanks Carers Victoria and Wyndham City Council.
We also celebrated the festive season with a lunch at Wyndham Cache, Werribee Sth. A raffle was held with prizes that were donated. Our thanks to those who donated.
Did you know that there is a new Carers Victoria
Statewide Carers Advisory Service?
Tel: 1800 514 845 or e: [email protected]
FCVic
Financial Counselling Victoria Inc.
CARER PATHWAY
Resources Page
We welcome all unpaid carers to our Carer Pathway Resources page.
As a carer it can be hard to attend to your own needs. Sometimes money doesn’t stretch far enouch and the caring role can be unpredictable.
If you are facing debt or other money trouble, you may benefit from speaking to a financial counsellor.
https:/fcvic.org.au/carer-pathway/?utm_source=Carers+in+
Victorian Support for Carers Program
There are many organisations that support carers. Carers play such an important role in the lives of many. To find your local Victorian Support for Carers Program
Service, ring free call T: 1800 514 845 for information
And help or find a local serive by visiting the Support for Carers Program webpage
Available every Tuesday from 9am-3pm.
NDIS drop-in sessions at the Laverton Community Hub
Drop-in to visit our Disability Services team at the Laverton Community Hub every Tuesday for a chat and have your NDIS questions answered.
Our team can assist with connections to supports in your local community, NDIS access and can help you to better understand your NDIS plan.
Quick & Easy Pancakes
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup Milk
Instructions
Heat a non-stick pan on medium/low
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend to a “batter” consistency
Pour ⅓ cup of batter on to the pan, using a measuring cup to ensure equal pancake size and cooking times. Allow the pancake to cook until bubbles appear around the edges, then flip and cook until golden. These pancakes cook fast, 1-2 minutes each side!
Cooking Tips
- Quantities may need tweaking based on type of milk used.
- Place blueberries into the mixed batter to make blueberry pancakes.
- Serve with fresh berries and/or applesauce.
WHY CHOOSE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Developed in Australia, Mental Health First Aid training has now been adopted by 25 countries around the world.
Our award-winning, evidence-based training courses empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem.
A conversation may change a life
Learn the skills to make a difference
Neighbourhood House Activities
A range of community services are offered at Wyndham CEC.
e.g.
Justice of The Peace
Providing a service to sign statuary declarations, affidavits, and confirming copies of original documents and any other documents that require a Justice of the Peace’s signature.
The service is available Monday from 10.00am – 2.00pm
Appointment can be made or you can just turn up on the day.
Tax Help
Tax Help volunteers provide free help with your tax return for incomes around $60,000 or less.
Appointments available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from July to the end of October.
Location: Wyndham CEC, 20 Synnot Street, Werribee
Please call 03 9742 4013 for more information or an appointment.
Mind Australia – Recovery Retreat Calendar
January – July 2023
Recovery Retreats are short, supported holidays within Victoria. They’re an opportunity for people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to take a break from your everyday, build new skills and meet new people. You will have your own cabin or hotel room with an ensuite bathroom as a base for enjoying relaxation, meals, on-site activities, and outings with others. Mind staff will support you during the trip. You can help in planning the meals, activities, and outings program.
285671 Victoria Trip Program 2023_dc02.indd (mindaustralia.org.au)
