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Meet the team: Kathryn Konidis
Meet Kathryn – our Carer Coordinator.
She’s been with selectability for two years and in that time, Kathryn and her team have been connecting carers to supports and services under the federal government’s Carer Gateway program.
Starting as a team of one in 2022, the Carer Gateway function has grown; today around 15 employees throughout regional Queensland support carers to access free services such as counselling, coaching, group activities and respite.
“Carers are those who provide unpaid care and support to anyone, at any time. Quite often “carers” do not even identify that they are a carer,' said Kathryn.
“Caring for a loved one can be stressful, isolating and at times overwhelming so it’s important that we care for them. If our carer’s are starting to feel burnt out, they will not be able to be the very best carer they can. We need to support them.
“Many people aren’t aware that free support is available for carers so community engagement is a very important part of the work that we do.
“We need to make sure our carers are maintaining their own health and wellbeing too. Part of this is our ability to provide carers with the supports they need to find their purpose, give them hope and reduce social isolation.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to connect people with support that in many cases has been life changing.
“From connecting people to counselling, delivering one-on-one coaching, to arranging emergency respite, our free services have helped carers to improve their capacity and develop the tools and strategies to continue in their caring roles.
“We are currently seeing some changes within the Carer Gateway program, and the team is very excited to be part this continued growth so that we can help even more carers over time.”
As a Carer Gateway delivery partner selectability provides a range of free services to all carers - whether it is someone caring for a family member or friend with a disability, a medical or mental health condition, someone who is frail due to age or with a terminal or chronic illness.
You can find more information or get in touch with the team HERE
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selectability acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide services and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge those with lived experience and those who support and partner with us to improve mental wellbeing and prevent suicide across regional Queensland.
