For carers in the Yarra Ranges, finding people who know and understand what it means to be a carer, but also the challenges that come with that role, can be difficult.
Ten years ago, a solution was devised to give carers time out of their month for themselves, connect with others and engage with organisations or resources.
Now, years later, the Pathways for Carers Walk in Mount Evelyn is a thriving community of carers, continually growing, with strong friendships blooming.
The Pathways for Carers project was launched in 2015 by a carer of three children with autism, Yarra Ranges and Maroondah Councils, Uniting Life Assist and Mt Evelyn Community House, with sponsorship by Community Bank Mt Evelyn
Celebrating 10 years of the walk in Mount Evelyn on Monday 20 October, volunteer group leaders Mel and Shek, who were both original members of the Walk, said the group has become a vital part of their and every member’s journey of being a carer.
Mel, a mum of three autistic children, said one of the greatest gifts of the walk and using the Community House is that every carer feels heard, comfortable and safe.
“The community house being involved has made a big difference, because we feel as a group of people, Nicky (Condello manager) and her team have made us feel important and cared for,” she said.
“It’s not very often that carers get really cared for or have that feeling of being cared for.”
When she started her caring journey, Mel said, “I was in a very low place, feeling very isolated, not knowing how to navigate things”.
And while the group was smaller when she joined 10 years ago, Mel said she instantly felt connected and supported, with no judgement bestowed for asking questions or sharing experiences.
“I’ve turned up to a walk and shared something and burst into tears and said, ‘This is what I’m struggling with at the moment. I don’t know how to work through it’. And everyone was offering suggestions,” she said.
Mel said sometimes the Community House is filled with carers, other weeks it’s quieter, but for her, she makes the monthly walk a priority for her mental health and self-care.
Two of her children are currently NDIS funded, and Mel also works part-time to make ends meet.
“NDIS, as much as it’s not the perfect system, it’s been a lifesaver for our family, because financially, we wouldn’t cope, but also my children wouldn’t be able to achieve what they have without the things that NDIS provides,” she said.
“So my role as a carer starts the moment my children are awake and ends when they go to bed. And for my youngest, she sometimes up at six o’clock and asleep at midnight. So it’s a long day.”
Day to day, Mel said, sometimes she’ll have to cook three different meals for dinner so each of her children will eat, or leave work to go pick up one of her children from school.
“It’s not like everybody else’s life. We don’t want pity. We just want a voice. Caring is hard, it’s exhausting.
“Most of us will probably tell you we’re exhausted every single day. We’re exhausted every single day we go to bed. You don’t know what each day’s going to bring, so you’re somewhat hyper-vigilant and adaptable.
“As a carer, you develop a lot of skills that you take for granted because it’s part of your role. Resilience, adaptability, thinking on the spot, problem-solving, all of those.”
Whatever level or capacity someone’s caring role is, Mel said it’s important for them to engage with groups like the Pathways for Carers walk, and to ensure they are putting their health first, too.
For Shek, whose son, 31, has multiple diagnoses, including PTSD, she joined the group 10 years ago and never looked back.
With years of experience navigating the system herself, Shek now takes it upon herself to ensure every person who attends a carers walk has the resources they need or a referral somewhere.
“What I would do is make them feel welcome and then talk to them, get to know them a bit, if they would like to share their story. There are so many things happening to carers and nobody is helping us, mentally, emotionally, with NDIS, with children,” she said.
“So we will talk, we share, if we have anything that I could share or refer them to, and I always refer them to organisations that could help.”
Both Shek and Mel said their experience of caring in the last 10 years has improved so much because of the kindness and genuine desire to support shown by House Manager Nicky Condello and Yarra Ranges Council’s disability inclusion officer Amanda May.
“We are very thankful to Nicky and her team. They are always very warm, welcoming and supportive to this group. Nicky is always encouraging me,” Shek said.
Nicky said the walk began because there was a gap that needed to be filled in the community.
“(Carers needed) opportunities to connect with peers to share experiences, whilst walking in nature and exercising in the community. The Mt Evelyn Community House is situated in a prime position on the Warburton Trail,” she said.
“A need for carers to connect with community service providers to learn of the external supports available to them, like respite opportunities.”
Since the first walk in 2015, the Community House has advocated for and taken on a key role of supporting carers, with funding from Yarra Ranges Council and Community Bank Mt Evelyn providing coffee and cake for each participant each month, and workshops.
The programs and workshops, either run at the House or in the Creative Art Space, are all subsidised for carers.
“Carers expressed needs for access to knowledge of service supports in the areas of financial literacy, health and wellbeing programs, along with creative arts,” Nicky said.
“(They) enjoy…hands-on creative workshops from watercolour, journalling and upcycled garden pots, to name a few. Programs are always fun, engaging and filled with laughter.
“(This) would not be possible without the understanding of the importance of the carer programs and funding to sustain the programs.
“The Mt Evelyn Community House staff team are very appreciative of the funding support and proud to assist carers in our community.”
Each month, a different guest speaker also attends to provide one-on-one chats and share information about help in the community.
The Mount Evelyn walk runs every first Thursday of the month, except January, meeting at 9.30am. There is also a walk in Healesville every fourth Wednesday of the month, except December.
