‘Getting to know you’ Support for Carers Mini Expo

The Support for Carers Program held its inaugural ‘Getting to Know You’ mini exhibition in late February. Sixty participants took part in the event, including devoted carers and cherished care recipients, alongside 11 local service providers. The Expo was designed to empower carers and care recipients to access information and support services, and to provide an opportunity to ask questions.

The Expo kicked off with morning tea, and formally commenced with an acknowledgement of country.

Our dedicated service providers guided attendees through a series of engaging presentations, offering glimpses into the diverse array of support available. Participants then enjoyed a relaxed ‘lunch and mingle’ segment, fostering conversations and connections.

The Expo proved a successful opportunity for carers to increase their awareness of available services and how to access them. This was the first of many quarterly sessions which will target hidden carers in the community, and it marked a promising step towards greater awareness and empowerment. In a display of appreciation, Sylvia Wan, Senior Manager, and SMRC CEO Rakesh Sharma took a moment to honor the immeasurable contributions of our unpaid carers, underscoring the shared commitment of service providers towards supporting individuals in need.

Participants were positive about their experience at the event, with comments including “would recommend it to all”, that the Expo was “a good source of information” and that they were “incredibly grateful for the interesting event”. One person shared: “I didn’t know that such a service existed”.

SMRC’s Support for Carers Program provides an array of programs and supports through monthly outings and meetings. The Mini Expo is a great addition to our program as an activity that designed to empower and uplift carers.

Thank you to service providers!

Thank you to the service providers who joined us on the day to share invaluable information: Alfred Health Carers Services, Cardinia Shire Council, Casey North Community Information and Support, City of Kingston, City of Monash, Dementia Australia, Diabetes Victoria, Enliven Victoria, Hearing Australia, Monash Health, Windermere Child and Family Services.