Carer Gateway Support Services

The Australian Government is investing into services for carers under the Carer Gateway program. The Benevolent Society has been chosen as a Carer Gateway Service Provider across Metropolitan Sydney including South Western Sydney and Nepean, and will be the first point of contact for services in these areas.

There are a number of services provided to carers via the Carer Gateway. Listed below are they different types of services available.

• Emergency Respite -If you get sick or hurt unexpectedly and you can't continue to look after the person you care for, emergency respite services can help to take care of them while you get better.
• Tailored Support Package -Supports and services are tailored to help you in your caring role. You may be able to recieve:
  • Services to help with your continued education - for example, tutoring or training courses
  • Planned respite, where a service provider steps in to take care of your family member or friend while you take a break
  • Domestic assistance such as meal preparation and cleaning services
  • Assistance with shopping
  • Transport, to help you do things like go to medical appointments or do shopping
• Peer Support - Meet with people like you, by joining a group of people in your local area, who care for a family member or friend. Share stories, knowledge and experience to learn from and support each other.
• Counselling - If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, a counsellor can talk through your situation and help you. You can speak one-on-one or in a group with a counsellor in your local area.
• Facilitated Coaching - Improve your skills and resilience needed for your caring role, by learning new ways to manage stress and better your wellbeing. You can meet one-on-one with a coach in your area.

The following services are available to carer's online;

• Phone counselling
• Online peer support community forum
• Online self-guided coaching
• Online carer skills course

If you support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, terminal illness, alcohol or drug dependency, or is frail and aged, then these free services are for you.