Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[amber22]

On Thursday 9th November 2023, we will be holding a Peer Group Chat on the topic of Caring for Yourself First.

It can be tricky to navigate the balance of caring for yourself and others for the same time. But, you can’t care for someone else properly, unless you care for yourself first. Join us for a conversation around self-care, the importance of prioritising our well-being and an opportunity to share and learn from each other.

The event start times across Australia are below:

This is currently held in daylight savings hours:

WA: 4pm 
NT: 5:30pm

SA: 6:30pm 

QLD: 6pm

NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS: 7pm 

For anyone unfamiliar with Peer Group Chats, each focuses on a specific topic and is guided by Peer Workers with lived experience of mental health issues and recovery, &/or caring for someone with complex mental health. A counsellor is also present as a moderator to help ensure a safe environment for individuals and the group. It is a space for us as peers to share our stories and experiences, and connect with those who are going through something similar. 

Anyone is welcome to join! Tagging some members who may be interested below:

@mr-robot-75 @Hope0011 @Shaz51 @Hams @Appleblossom @Captain24 @Snowie @chibam @Jacques @wellwellwellnez @outlander @NatureLover @Adge  @petrichor @Pancake @Gwynn @Sophia1 @pinklollipop15 @Lila3 @BlueBay @RedHorse @Arizona @SJT63 @Owen45 @Appleblossom @Eve7 @Bow @Snowie @Shaz51 @JungleGiants @BPDSurvivor @wellwellwellnez @NatureLover @utopia @Millieme @Anastasia @Jorge @CogsWhirl @Clawde @SunFlowersHope  @SJT63 @Owen45 @utopia @Laura4 @creative_writer @Glisten @7cough9 

Peer Group Chats are hosted outside of the forums, using a platform called Chatwee. 

To join an Online Peer Group and participate, you will need to register for an account with Chatwee.
To access the group to observe only and not participate, you can access Chatwee as a Guest.
On the night, follow this link to access Chatwee before the group starts.
You can join our Peer Group Chats every Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm (AEDT). Check out the FAQs page for more information.  

We hope to see you there 

 If you can't make it but are interested, you can always catch up reading the transcript afterwards here. 

[TideisTurning]

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that the next Online Peer Group Chat on Caring for Yourself First will take place tonight from 7-8:30pm AEDT.  As always, for ease of reference, times across Australia are in the graphic and listed below: 

WA: 4pm 
NT: 5:30pm

SA: 6:30pm 

QLD: 6pm

NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS: 7pm  

Tonight, you can expect discussion about: 

• What taking care of ourselves might entail and look like 
•  Balancing caring for ourselves with caring for others 
•  Ways we could navigate any barriers to caring for ourselves, and prioritise caring for ourselves first 

Tagging members who have supported or otherwise interacted with the thread so far as well as those who may be interested to receive a reminder @Valiant83 @Katey @DiscoEarth @Booklover @Shaz51 @Krishna @Ilovepenguins @hluppy @Jewelbox @Fluttershy1 

[amber22]

Just a reminder that our Peer Group Chat on Caring for Yourself First will start in just under 20 minutes at 7pm here! Everyone is welcome! See you then!

Tagging members who have supported or otherwise interacted with the thread so far as well as those who may be interested to receive a reminder: @Valiant83 @Katey @DiscoEarth @Booklover @Shaz51 @Krishna @Ilovepenguins @hluppy @Jewelbox @Fluttershy1 

[DiscoEarth]

How do I attend the talk? Is there a link?

[tyme]

Yes @DiscoEarth ! Try this link! Scroll down until you see "Open Peer Group Chat in new window"

[TideisTurning]

Hi Everyone, 

Following this discussion, there are a few resources I wanted to share around setting yourself up as a carer, boundaries and prioritising caring for yourself first. There are also a whole bunch of self care ideas here.

What I'd be curious to hear from anyone who'd like to share is, what boundaries might you need to put in place to prioritise and ensure you can take care of yourself? And, if you're up to sharing, how could you do this?

@DiscoEarth @Shaz51 @hluppy @Katey @Valiant83 @Glisten @StanD @Captain24 @Snowie @Blackbird11 @Patches59 @Oaktree @Appleblossom 

[hluppy]

I think for me, one of the boundaries I have found helpful is to block out certain times of the day that are just for me, making sure it is outside/otherwise away from the home. This allows the person I care for to know what dates and times I am unavailable, and in a way also gives them a little bit more power back by knowing that they can be okay without me at times.