Support for carer support groups
Carers NSW provides education for facilitators of carer support groups across NSW free of charge.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the carer support group
Facilitator Meetup
Carer Peer Connect ran Facilitator Meetups with a specific focus on how the coronavirus and social distancing is impacting on carer support groups. These meetings allowed members to talk openly about how the Coronavirus is affecting their groups and ways to overcome group challenges.
Coronavirus and the Carer Support Group - 2nd April 2020
The session was attended by group facilitators from Western NSW, Mid North Coast, and South West Sydney. Carer Support Groups represented included general, koori yarning, acquired brain injury, mental illness and aged care support.
Topics included:
- A group that met for the first time online (using messenger)
- How to set up a Zoom account
- The importance of teaching seniors to text
- Providing iPads (installed with apps) to the homes of seniors
- Concern that the decrease in services to the home is reducing social contact for carers
Click here to watch the session (52min)
Coronavirus and the Carer Support Group - 7th April 2020
"We have to remember that we are not 'working from home' but we are doing our best to provide support during a pandemic."
In this session we explore personal reflections on facilitating carer support during the social isolation related to Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Click here to watch the session (56min)
Transitioning to an online carer support group
Meeting online with Zoom
Zoom is an online meeting platform (like Skype and Facetime) which enables you to connect with others over the internet. You will be able to use a computer or mobile device to access the meeting. The advantage of Zoom is that only the organiser of the scheduled meetings will need to create an account, invited guests do not need a Zoom account to join a meeting.
Many questions have been asked about running Zoom Meetings. In this video I discuss the benefits of running a Zoom meeting and demonstrate how to set up an account.
Tutorials
Zoom provides a comprehensive list of tutorials to help you get starting running Zoom meetings.
Tutorials include:
- Join a meeting
- Schedule a meeting
- Scheduling a Zoom Webinar
- Breakout rooms
- Sharing your screen
- Recording a session
Click here to access the Zoom Tutorials.
Additional Tutorials
How to use Zoom Conferencing - click here to read
How to use Zoom for Remote and Online learning - click here to watch
How to use Breakout Rooms in Zoom - click here to watch
Monthly Facilitator Meetup - video link-up
The Carer Peer Connect program runs monthly video-meetings for facilitators of carer support groups. These video-meetings have allowed members to talk openly about the facilitation of their groups and discuss ways to overcome group challenges. The peer support from other carer support group facilitators connects participants from all corners of the state, from Albury and Wagga, to Dubbo and Broken Hill, and up to Tweed Heads.
Facilitator tele-meetings provide opportunities for:
- Sharing of new Carer Peer Connect network information.
- Discussing and brainstorming ideas to overcome group challenges.
- Support group facilitator debriefing.
- Support group promotion and networking.
- Peer support from other carers support group facilitators around NSW.
Upcoming Dates
- 10am - 11am Fourth Tuesday of the month.
Themes (2020)
February - Attracting members - click here to watch videos of the session
March - Managing diverse personalities - click here to watch videos of the session
April - Transitioning to an online environment - click here to watch the session
May - Dealing with conflict in the group - click here to watch the discussion (5min)
June - Facilitator burnout - click here to watch the discussion (15min)
To find out more email [email protected]
To register for the next Facilitator Meetup click here.
Setting Up a Carer Support Group workshop
A free online interactive workshop that addresses common issues and considerations for new facilitators in setting up a brand new support group for unpaid family carers.
Topics include:
- Why a support group and how to attract members
- Setting up a carer support group
- Running a carer support group
- Planning a support group meeting
This training is open to:
- Service providers and carers who would like to set up a new carer support group
- Service providers and carers who have recently begun to run a carer support group
Locations and dates for workshops in 2021 (run over 2-3 weeks)
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Online 4th March, 11th March 10am-12pm
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Online 9th June, 16th June, 23rd June 10am-12pm
To register for this workshop click here
For additional resources click here: https://lms.carersnsw.org.au
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Preparing for facilitation workshop
A free online interactive workshop that addresses common issues and considerations for individuals new to the facilitation role. This workshop provides participants with the opportunity to identify personal strengths as well as a range of basic skills relevant to the role of facilitation.
Topics include:
- An introduction to skills relevant to the role of facilitator
- Identifying personal strengths brought to the facilitator role
- Identifying and responding to issues specific to carers and the group
- Recognising the need for personal boundaries
- An introduction to Carers NSW resources for carer support groups.
This training is open to:
- Service providers and carers who have recently begun to run a carer support group
Locations and dates for workshops in 2021
Online workshops (run over 2 weeks)
- Online 11th February, 18th February 2021 10am-12pm
- Online 2nd March, 9th March 2021 2pm- 4pm
To register for this workshop click here
Carer Support Groups: A workshop for facilitators
A free interactive workshop covering a broad range of topics and issues that relate to the role of a carer support group facilitator.
Topics include:
- An introduction to group processes and group work
- Identifying and responding to issues specific to carers and the group
- How to develop and maintain ethical facilitation
- An introduction to Carers NSW resources for carer support groups, including Carer Support Groups: An information and support resource for facilitators.
This training is open to:
- Service providers and carers who currently facilitate a carer support group
- Service providers and carers who are interested in facilitating their own group
Locations and dates for workshops in 2021
In-person workshops
- North Sydney 16th March 2021 (postponed - new date to be announced)
Online workshops
- Online 3rd February, 10th February, 17th February 2021 10am-12pm
- Online 18th March, 25th March, 1st April 2021 10am-12pm (change of date)
- Online 20th May, 27th May, 3rd June 2021 10am-12pm
To register for this workshop click here
Online Education Website
The Online Education Website brings Carers NSW knowledge and resources directly to you, no matter where you are across New South Wales. The Online Education Website provides a range of online modules for both carers and services providers that gives information, knowledge and skills to carers help in the caring role.
Carer Support Groups
- Setting up a carer support group
- Promoting a carer support group
To access the website click here: https://lms.carersnsw.org.au
For more information on accessing the Online Education Website, email [email protected]
Carer Peer Connect Facilitator Mailing List
Sign up to the mailing list to keep up-to-date with the latest information about education workshops, facilitator tele-meetings and general support group updates.
You can sign up here.
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- Online 10th June, 17th June, 24th June 2020 10am-12pm
