Wellbeing in focus for Carers Awareness Week

The wellbeing of carers was firmly in the spotlight during Carers Awareness Week at the recent ‘Growing Together, a Day in the Garden’ event.

The health and wellbeing day was staged in the picturesque garden of Joan Burrell-Melbourne’s Selina Street home.

The program included a sensory garden tour, a potting up session with Ronald Hardy and Jenny Jones, meditation with Kylie Greste as well as morning tea and lunch. Carers also received a care package.

The Narrabri Carers and Caring Group Event was also a collaboration with other organisations including the Narrabri Parkinson’s Support Group, Narrabri Health Service and the Dementia Friendly Community Committee.

Kylie Finlay, who works at Narrabri Community Health in the memory and cognition team, said a grant from Carers NSW had been secured to enable the day to proceed.

Mrs Finlay also spoke about what it is to be a carer.

“A carer is any individual who provides care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail due to age,” she said.

“Many carers don’t use the word ‘carer’ to describe themselves. Yet each one of us is likely to become a carer for a family member or friend at some stage in our lives.

“You do not need to live with the person you care for. You do not need to be the main source of care and support.

“You do not have to provide care every day, or over many years.

“You do not have to receive the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink.

“Carers NSW through Carers Gateway provides a range of face to face, online and phone based support services to carers across Australia. Services include carer support planning, counselling, peer support, tailored support packages and respite.”

Mrs Finlay said National Carers Week is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating carers in Australia.

“Today we bring to you our day in the garden.

“Finding ways to connect with others is crucial for personal wellbeing and overall happiness.

“The health benefits of gardening are well documented. Gardening can reduce feelings of stress, increase feelings of happiness improving mental health, breathing in clean air and getting good vitamin D, increasing exercise, and growing healthy food, has its obvious health benefits for our heart, soul and brain.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity today to thank my colleague Kylie Greste who is finishing up her position at community health, although she will continue to help people through her holistic work, I’d like to thank her for her contributions to our caring community.”