Who can attend?
The Carer Wellbeing Academy is open to family and friend carers worldwide. Although we are based in New South Wales, Australia, we welcome participants from all states and international locations. If you find a session that fits your schedule, please join us.
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition, or is elderly and frail. Carers play a vital role in assisting with daily activities, medical needs, emotional support, and overall well-being.
When was Carer Wellbeing Academy founded?
The Carer Wellbeing Academy was founded in 2024 by Matthew Elder to address the increasing need for online support for family and friend carers. With 17 years of experience in the aged care and community support sectors, Matthew brings extensive expertise to the field. He has a strong focus on group participation, aiming to break down feelings of isolation among group members. Matthew is also deeply interested in carer support group facilitation, having facilitated over 64 Carer Support Group Facilitation workshops and delivered 10 years of Carer Support Group Facilitator Meetups.
Is Carer Wellbeing Academy government-funded?
The Carer Wellbeing Academy is not government-funded and is not restricted by funding body requirements, allowing us to be flexible in meeting the needs of family and friend carers. Our online events are free for carers to attend, with an option to make a donation through our Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee accounts.
Why do carers need to sign up for a (free) Patreon account?
The Carer Wellbeing Academy is a private enterprise. Unlike larger organizations, we don’t have access to extensive resources, including large-scale mailing systems. We rely on Patreon, which allows us to send out bulk emails to individuals. Members can also visit our site to find the latest Zoom details for upcoming events.
Is Carer Wellbeing Academy guided by research?
The Carer Wellbeing Academy is guided by research in its practices, incorporating methods such as social prescribing and body mapping.
Social Prescribing: Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare where health professionals refer patients to non-medical services and community resources to improve their well-being. These services can include activities such as exercise classes, arts and crafts, volunteering, and social groups. The goal is to address the social, emotional, and practical needs of individuals, helping them to feel more connected and supported within their community.
Body mapping, as promoted by Professor Katherine Boydell, is a creative and therapeutic process where individuals create visual representations of their bodies to express their experiences, emotions, and narratives. This technique combines art and storytelling, allowing participants to explore and communicate complex aspects of their identity, health, and life experiences. Through body mapping, individuals can gain insights, foster self-awareness, and promote healing and well-being. It is particularly useful in research and therapeutic settings for understanding the lived experiences of marginalized or vulnerable populations.
Further questions?
If you have any further questions, please send an email to carerwellbeingaus@gmail.com
