By Tanya Steele
In a boon for unpaid carers, a council grant has given this valuable and caring subset of the community a chance to exercise and connect.
An EACH community health service based in Ferntree Gully has been given a Knox Council community development grant this year and has been putting it to good use.
The grant has funded a program that will support carers with free physical activities and social connections.
EACH Population Health Officer Rachael Cavanagh says the program aims to improve carers’ mental and physical health.
“Carers do such a selfless role and the caring role within the community is keeping people in places they feel safe and supported, and through people that they know,” she said.
“Research shows that carers often put their own physical and mental wellbeing behind the needs of the person they are caring for. This puts them at more risk of acute and chronic illness and mental health issues.”
The free community classes will aim to remove some barriers to entry, like the cost Ms Cavanagh said that research also shows that many carers struggle to meet living expenses due to loss of income and job opportunities.
“The free classes aim to remove some of the barriers to participating in physical activities, such as cost, and provide a common ground for carers to connect,” she said.
So far a survey of carers living in Knox showed that the most popular activities they were interested in were Tai Chi, Yoga and Dance.
“In term one we ran Tai Chi classes and participants reported that they valued having the opportunity to connect with other carers and try an activity that they hadn’t done before,” said Ms Cavanagh.
It is planned that future activities will be offered based on carers’ feedback, and cater for different ages, interests and physical capabilities.
“Classes will be followed by a fruit platter and cuppa for carers to stay back and connect with others,” said Ms Cavanagh
Classes will run on Tuesdays between 1-3pm during terms two and three at Carrington Park Leisure Centre, 20 O’Connor Road, Knoxfield 3180
Bookings are not required and if carers would like to know more, they can email Rachael and Sarah at prevention@each.com.au or call Rachael on 0475 005 349.
