Feeling isolated as a carer? You are not alone. Carer Gateway is here to help!
Our free Carer Peer Support Groups in your area connect you with other carers who truly understand what you are going through. It is a safe and supportive space where you can share experiences, find encouragement and feel less alone. Join a group near you.
Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to learn more or fill out the callback form below to get started.
Why join a carer peer support group?
In-person peer support groups help you to meet other carers in your local community in a safe and supportive environment.
✔ Provides a safe space to share experiences and connect with others who understand
✔ Offers support from people on a similar journey
✔ Helps reduce feelings of isolation and build resilience
✔ Allows you to gain practical advice from other carers
✔ Guided by a facilitator who shapes discussions around meaningful topics
✔ Helps build connections with other carers
✔ Available in both face-to-face and online formats for flexibility
We have many groups running during the year that can connect you to other carers. We also run health and wellbeing events to learn techniques to cope in your caring role.
To attend a peer support group, you must be registered with Carer Gateway. Call 1800 422 737, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm or fill out a callback form.
Click here to see the online peer support groups currently running.
Click here to see the in-person peer support groups currently running.
Who can use this service?
All carers can access Carer Gateway services.
You are a carer if you are looking after someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age.
Beyond peer support, Carer Gateway offers additional emotional and practical services to help you on your caring journey. Any carer can use these services at any time in their caring journey.
Online Community Forum
The Carer Forum is Carer Gateway's online chat room, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It provides a safe, anonymous space to connect with other carers and support each other. Its where Australian carers can meet others facing similar challenges in their caring roles. Everyday you’ll find support and sharing, goodwill and guidance.
Location
Holstep Health leads Carer Gateway services in Victoria, delivering essential local support to carers through a consortium of seven experienced health and community care organisations.
We’re here to ensure that you receive accessible, and culturally responsive support in your community. Our partners include Alfred Health, Grampians Health, Barwon Health, Bendigo Health, FamilyCare and Uniting Vic Tas.
To find out more about the in-person peer support groups available near you, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm or fill out the callback form to get started.
More information
Anyone may become a carer even temporarily. Carers can be any age and could be caring for anyone, a parent, friend, child, sibling or neighbour. It may be because they have disability, a medical condition, mental illness or are frail due to age.
Holstep Health Carer Services supports carers throughout Melbourne's Northern and Western suburbs, including the councils of Hume, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Merri-Bek, Darebin, Banyule, Yarra, Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Wyndham, and Hobsons Bay.
In Victoria, Carer Gateway services are provided by a consortium of seven health and social support providers, led by Holstep Health. Together, we offer local support and services to all carers across the state.
We provide support services that are tailored to your individual caring needs. These may include:
Coaching: Reflect on how your caring role impacts your life and learn new ways to manage stress and improve your wellbeing.
- Self-guided coaching – undertake online interactive courses.
Counselling: If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, sad or frustrated, a professional counsellor can talk with you about your worries and offer help. Reflect on how your caring role impacts your life and learn new ways to manage stress and improve your wellbeing.
- Self-guided coaching
- In-person
- Phone counselling
- Emergency respite
- Planned respite
Tailored support packages: Get tailored support to assist you in your caring role.
- One-off practical support in the form of equipment or an item to assist you in your caring role.
- A range of ongoing practical supports, such as planned respite or transport, provided over a twelve-month period.
Support for young carers: Young carers can face unique challenges. Carer Gateway supports young carers to manage their caring responsibilities and assist with daily tasks, helping them to stay in school and connected with other young carers and the community.
Activities, events, workshops and carer engagement: Connect with other carers, socialise and share your experience and learn practical information to support you in your caring role.
You can learn more by visiting Carer Gateway peer support or by calling Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time. You can also click the link to register your caring role and request a callback.
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative.
