The Carer Support Service provides carers with access to respite care for their care recipient.  Education resources and information is also available to support carers in their caring role.

What do we do?

We provide support and care to anyone who is a carer of a person who is frail, aged, has a disability, chronic illness, or mental illness. A carer can be a family member, close friend, or neighbour.

Respite care enables carers to have a break from their caring role to attend appointments, go shopping, socialise or have 'time out'. Respite care is available for short-term, occasional, or emergency breaks.

We aim to:

Provide support and information to carers:

  • Assist with planning respite, which maximizes the benefits to the carer and the person being cared for
  • Maintain the quality of life for the carer, the person being cared for and their family
  • Link carers with local support services and support groups
  • Enable carers to continue in their caring role
  • Contribute to a better understanding of the importance of the carer and the significance of the caring role

How can you access this service?

Anyone caring for a family member or friend with a disability or mental illness, or is frail, aged or has a chronic condition may be eligible for support. Call 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au.

Carer Gateway

Merrihealth Logo Groups Tri Brand Grampians Health Cmyk V1.0 2200Pxw

The Carer Gateway offers free, early intervention support to carers.

Carers can access over-the-phone and in-person support including:

  • coaching
  • counselling
  • peer support
  • information and advice
  • online groups and courses
  • crisis and emergency support

Anyone caring for a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, who is frail, aged, or has a chronic condition may be eligible for support. Call 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au.

The Caring Times

Carer Support Service keeps its valued carers informed of important updates and events through The Caring Times newsletter.

Please click here for the 2024 Christmas edition

Please click here for the latest issue.

Please click here for issue 15.

Please click here for issue 14.

Please click here for issue 13.

Please click here for issue 12.

Please click here for issue 11.

Please click here for issue 10.

Please click here for issue 9.

Please click here for issue 8.

Please click here for issue 7.

Please click here for issue 6.

The Cookbook for Carers

The Carer Support Service team created The Cookbook for Carers during National Carers Week in 2021 to acknowledge the outstanding contributions carers make, while also providing our carers with a space to contribute and enjoy recipes from others.

Inside the cookbook, you’ll meet some of our team members and also some of our wonderful carers who have kindly shared their stories. Please click below to view the cookbook.

The Cookbook for Carers

The Cookbook for Carers
The Cookbook for Carers
PDF 18.8MB

Ballarat

Location

23 Wetlands Drive
Mount Helen VIC 3350

Phone

03 5333 7104

Opening Hours

9:00am-5:00pm Weekdays

Fax

03 5333 7141

Email

carers@gh.org.au

Horsham

Location

Wimmera Health Care Group, Baillie Street
Horsham VIC 3400

Phone

03 5381 9336

Fax

03 5381 9120

Victorian Support for Carers Program

Victorian Carer Card

Have something to tell us? We welcome all feedback from patients, family members or carers. Tell us more.