Valuing support - Chris' story

As Carers Week comes to an end, selectability continues to recognise and celebrate the 2.65 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend.

Townsville resident Chris is one of the many carers across regional Queensland who receives regular support from selectability as part of the Carer Gateway program.

Having now received this support for the last two years, Chris says the support from Carer Gateway has been vital to changing his life.

“I originally came up here for a holiday to visit my brother during covid, when I found out that my mother in Melbourne became unwell,” Chris said.

“The doctors transferred her up here to Townsville to be closer to family, a decision that basically ended up saving her life.”

Within weeks, Chris quit his job, sold his home, moved his entire life to Townsville, eventually becoming a full-time carer for his mother.

“It was pretty tough at the start, she could barely walk, but eventually she was released from the hospital and I was referred to Carer Gateway to help me through all of the processes and life as a carer.

“I think they knew that it was something I needed to do, they could tell that I am a very caring person and that I would take it pretty hard if I couldn’t care for mum.

Since then, Chris has received in person peer support, counselling and coaching from the selectability team, which assists him through his role as a carer, a moment in his life he is extremely grateful for.

“They give me a lot of pointers, or how to communicate things, how to manage appointments.

“Even the confidence to make large decisions when it comes to getting mum the care she needs, without that I was too scared to leave the house out of fear and missing an appointment or a call.

“Just the advice, the little tiny things that you wouldn’t think about, has made such difference.”

Make no mistake, Chris’s story; while unique to him; resonates heavily with the stories of many other unpaid carers in Australia.

Whether it be sudden or gradual, the path to becoming a carer is not always a simple one.

As part of the Carer Gateway program, selectability now supports more than 250 carers a month in regional Queensland and delivers vital services from connecting people to counselling, delivering one-on-one coaching, to arranging emergency respite.

These free services have helped carers to improve their capacity and develop the tools and strategies to continue in their caring roles.

“A lot of people don’t know that things like this exist, and I would just tell them to give it a go, as long as you are willing to give them the information, they will always give you the help that you need.

“Let yourself go and explain your situation and they will be there for you, they are people you can relate to as well, just give it a go.”

selectability is a Carer Gateway consortia partner and 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