Peninsula Health has developed a carer’s support program that is providing hope and changing lives for carers in Frankston and across the Mornington Peninsula.
“A lot of the time carers do feel quite a sense of hopelessness, are things ever going to get better?” says Senior Family Carer Peer, Jacinta Pope.
“If they’re in that space where they can talk about their challenges and then they hear other people who may be further along in their journey, or that they might relate to… and now things have improved. It’s really important for carers to have that.”
The Caring for Carers program was developed by Jacinta along with Social Worker Rebecca Parsons – and was recently shared with industry colleagues in a presentation at theMHS Conference 2025 in Brisbane.
Beginning in 2023, with 9 participants in the first session, the program has supported around 45 carers and is run three to four times a year. It builds on the valuable work that is already being done one-on-one by carer peers.
Along with planned content and guest speakers, program facilitators prioritise allowing the carers to speak and share their experiences with the group.
“We have a very large emphasis on self-care as well. Self-care is very important,” says Jacinta. “We really strongly encourage them to do that.”
The feedback from participants makes it clear how beneficial the program is.
“It enabled me to talk openly about my experiences, feeling and thoughts in a safe and confidential setting,” said one participant. “Having questions answered and to listen to other carers and guest speakers in similar circumstances helped me immensely to understand the situation and the best way to navigate any future episodes ahead.”
“I realised that as we spoke openly and without guilt or shame, there was some calming effect, a release of tension, albeit perhaps a temporary one, but it was a glimmer of hope that in that new community, we could find some small amount of relief,” wrote another participant.
At the conclusion of the course, carers keep in contact with a monthly catch-up meeting, which has also proved invaluable.
“I think too that the Catch-up group is very important to me, because it gives hope (which I need!) that once the course is finished it’s not all over and I can still talk with the other people and be part of something where we all help each other. It’s a good feeling when others try to help me,” a participant said.
National Carer’s Week is 12-18 October. Find out more here.
Discover more about Peninsula Health’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Services here.