Carers Hub - Interchange Illawarra

02 4227 1079

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 Wellbeing

Invitations have been sent to our registered Parents and Carers for a special Carers Week lunch in October. Check your inbox for more details!
Invitations have been sent to our registered Parents and Carers for a Carer Gateway Presentation in November. Check your inbox for more details!

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.

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.

Upcoming Events – External

Wollongong City Council is hosting various events in conjunction with R U OK day at Warrawong, Thirroul and Wollongong libraries.

R U OK Information Session
Monday 11 September, 12:30-1:30pm, Warrawong Library. For more information click here.

Breaking Down Barriers Around Mental Health by Nigel Woods
Tuesday 12 September, 1-2pm, Thirroul Library. For more information click here.

Lifeline Talk on Mental Health
Thursday 14 September, 2-3pm, Wollongong Library. For more information click here.

For the flyer click here.

Immersive Meditation by Carers Australia, Fridays, 11:00am to 11:45am

An antidote to the fast pace of modern life, immersive mediation is an ideal way to enhance mindfulness and focus. It can also help you to relax while you care. Take a moment on the day to slow down with other carers, as we transport you to beautiful natural landscapes together with relaxing music that will make you enter into a state of relaxation.

You will require access to a computer with speakers. Event sessions are delivered using Zoom conferencing. Carers NSW will send you instructions about how you can join the session on the day before each session.

The duration of this session is 45 minutes. Click here to register.

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. For the Wollongong area the carer organisation is LiveBetter. For more information click here.

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.