Carers often give so much of themselves—physically, emotionally, and mentally—that their own needs can be overlooked. Whether you're a young person helping out at home, or an adult supporting a loved one through illness, disability, or ageing, your role is vital… and it can also be exhausting, isolating, and invisible.

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If you are a carer, some of our services may be funded by Carer Gateway. To access this support, you will need to register directly with Carer Gateway - see below for details on how to do this and whether you might be eligible. 

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If you are already registered with Carer Gateway you can:

• ask about access to our counselling services;

• go to to our Events page to confirm dates and booking details for the peer support workshops; or

• complete our Expression of Interest form for future workshops.

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Am I a carer?

Many people do not see themselves as carers - they see themselves as simply helping out someone they care about.

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A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or is frail due to age.

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Carers may help with everyday tasks like preparing meals, managing medication, personal care, transport, emotional support, or coordinating medical appointments.

 

Carers can be of any age and come from all walks of life. They may be parents, partners, siblings, children, friends, or neighbours.

 

Young people who care for a family member can be referred to as young carers, though they will rarely see themselves as such. This term recognises young people who are offering more support for someone else - whether that's helping out in the mornings with a neurodivergent sibling, assisting with personal care for Nan, or offering emotional support to a parent with mental health or substance use issues.

 

Being a carer can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. That’s why these services exist—to support carers in looking after their own wellbeing while continuing to care for someone else.

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If you are not sure, you can call the Carer Gateway or check your eligibility via the Carer Gateway website. 

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Counselling Services for Carers

Crayons and Stuff is a recognised provider of counselling services for carers in the following regions:

• Bass Coast 

• Gippsland

• Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne

• Outer Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne

• Goulburn

• Albury Wodonga

​​These sessions are 1:1, can be offered in person or online, and can combine traditional talk therapy with more than verbal approaches such as arts and somatic therapies. 

 

See below for information on how to access this support. If you are in a different region please get in touch and I will seek to register locally.​

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Peer Support Groups for Carers

​I am working locally - with Community Artist Camille Monet and Uniting Vic Tas - to set up some peer support groups for carers. This includes creative wellbeing workshops for adult carers as well as workshops for young carers aged 9-25 years. While these groups will be offered on the Bass Coast, you are more than welcome to attend from other parts of Gippsland.

 

These sessions will use creative practices for carer wellbeing and self-expression, while facilitating support and new connections with people who get it. No art experience is necessary and you are very welcome to just come and hang out.

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We need to know there is demand for these sessions, so please indicate your interest here and we'll be in touch when new sessions are scheduled.

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