Parent/Carer Health and Wellbeing Program

At Interchange Illawarra we are proud of our Parent/Carer Health and Wellbeing Program which aims to develop social and support opportunities for parents and carers. We do this through assisting parents and carers to participate in their local community, foster relationships that strengthen informal networks, and provide opportunities to attend free social events with other Interchange Illawarra parents and carers.

Our health and wellbeing activities vary from year to year and can include lunches, morning teas, bus trips, Carer Week events and workshops. We’ve even hosted fishing expeditions and winery tours.

By organising health and wellbeing activities and workshops we provide opportunities for parents and carers to meet others in a similar circumstance, socialise, learn new skills and enjoy some fun time out that’s all about them.

The health and wellbeing activities are run by our Support Coordinators/Planners throughout the year and provide you an opportunity to get to know the Interchange Illawarra staff better too.

Upcoming Events – Interchange Illawarra Parent/Carer Health and Wellbeing 

We recently:

• Celebrated Carers Week with a free Parent/Carer lunch at Wollongong Golf Club.
• Held a candle making workshop for Parents/Carers at Shellharbour.

We’ll be hosting more great Parent/Carer Health and Wellbeing events in early 2025. As always, these will be advertised in our Parent/Carer Update via email.

MyTime

MyTime is for parents and carers of a child (aged 0-16 years) with a disability, chronic medical condition or other additional needs including developmental delay. Unwind, meet new people and share experiences with others who understand.

MyTime is funded by The Department of Social Services (DSS) and is provided in partnership with the Parenting Research Centre, Playgroup NSW, Interchange Illawarra, TAFE Illawarra and Big Fat Smile.

This program is about assisting families who care for children 0-16 years of age to develop social networks, enjoy some time out and provide children who have additional needs and chronic illness an opportunity to socialise with other children.

The supported playgroup initiative is the only one of its kind Australia wide where TAFE Child Care students have a practical opportunity to work with, and better understand, children with disabilities in a social learning environment for the child and siblings. Over the years many of the Early Childhood Education students have developed a passion for supporting children with a disability and now work in the disability sector.

For more information click here.

Carers NSW

• Carers NSW has created a series of eLearning modules focused on carer health and wellbeing. To view these modules and more visit the Carers NSW LMS.
• Wellbeing Wednesday @ Carers NSW – 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 2:00pm to 3:00pm. ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ is designed to empower you with practical tools and valuable insights to nurture your wellbeing and cultivate positive habits. Every two weeks, we will explore different aspects of your life where small changes can make a significant impact on your overall wellbeing. Engaging in discussions with other carers you will uncover practical strategies that can enhance your happiness, resilience, and overall quality of life. To register click here.

Planet Puberty Workshops

These workshops from Planet Puberty can assist parents of kids with intellectual disability and autism navigate a new world – the journey through puberty.

For more information click here.

R U OK? Tips to help support neurodivergent people

Not everyone takes in information in the same way, so it’s important to be aware of who we are chatting with and consider the best way for us to make them feel heard and supported.

The R U OK? website has many resources designed to guide you on how to have an R U OK? conversation with your neurodivergent friends, family members and colleagues.

For more information click here.

Online Safety Training

This free online safety training offered by Interaction Disability Services is for people with disability and their parents or carers to support participants to access the internet safely. It was developed with funding from the Online Safety Grants Program from the eSafety Commissioner.

• Click here for more information.
• Click here for a printable flyer.

Carer Gateway Resources

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.

If you care for a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.

The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.

• Carer Gateway website
• Carer Gateway Emergency Care Plan

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Being prepared for an emergency situation is something we all need to plan for.

• My Emergency Plan Form will help you plan ahead for all the things you need to in an emergency including thinking about what to take, who to tell and when to leave. Click here for a fillable pdf that you can print out and save.
• The EMBER app is a tool that helps you prepare for and plan for a bushfire or other emergency. Click here to find out more.

Mental Health Resources and Links

• Lifeline Fact Sheets
• Beyond Blue Resource Library

NDIS Links

• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• NDIS Translation Sheets