You are considered a carer if you provide care and support to someone with a disability, a medical condition, a mental illness, or someone who is ageing or frail. Carers come from all walks of life – you might be a parent, partner, husband or wife, young person, child, other family member, friend or neighbour.

Our Support for Carers services are available to any carer, at any stage in your caregiving journey. We can provide the assistance you need, whenever you need it.

We understand your challenges as a carer

Caring can be a very rewarding experience and bring a great sense of fulfilment to the carer. However, caring for a loved one can also take you away from everyday activities that you would normally have time for. At Spectrum, we recognise these challenges and are committed to supporting carers in their vital role with our range of carer support services.

Our commitment to carers

Spectrum values and celebrates every carer and their unique caring situation. We aim to provide you with additional support, making your caring role more manageable and less overwhelming.

• Day outings and social support: engage in community activities and outings, offering you a break and an opportunity to connect with others
• Respite support (in-home and out-of-home): reliable respite services to give you a much-needed break from your caregiving responsibilities
• Social Support Groups: social groups to connect carers and care recipients to the wider community, including Spectrum’s annual carer event
• Home assistance, including cleaning and gardening, to lighten your household tasks
• Carer refreshment activities: designed to rejuvenate and provide relaxation, you could enjoy a therapeutic massage or even a weekend away to recharge
• Assistance with navigating services: helping you understand and access various carer resources and advice effectively
• Support in returning to work: advice and information to help you balance caregiving with your professional goals

• You must be an unpaid carer
• You need extra support to manage your caregiving responsibilities
• You live in these Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Melbourne – Whittlesea, Hume, Darebin, Banyule or Nillumbik

All you need to do is make a referral to Spectrum. You can make a referral for yourself if you are a carer, or for a carer that you know if you are a healthcare professional or community organisation. To refer, simply contact our team with your details and a brief description of your caregiving situation. We will then contact you to arrange an assessment, to talk about your needs and how we can help.

We would love to support your journey as a carer. For more information about Spectrum’s Support for Carers program, contact us at 1300 735 653 and ask to speak to the Family Caregiver Support team, or send us an enquiry below. We will be happy to help!