The Carer Gateway: New services for carers in Metropolitan Sydney
From April 2020, The Benevolent Society will commence services as the Carer Gateway Service Provider for Sydney, continuing our long history of supporting carers as they play an invaluable role in our community. The Carer Gateway is a transformative new program, co-designed with carers to deliver a full range of supports including:
- Counselling
- Coaching
- Peer support
- Emergency respite
- Carer-directed packages.
This support is available for people providing unpaid care for older people, people with chronic illness, people with disability and people living with mental illness.
What you need to know
What is the Carer Gateway?
The Carer Gateway is the national service for Carers, funded by the Australian Government. It includes a website and phone or online services for carers to access practical information and support.
Carers can call 1800 422 737 Mon – Fri between 8am – 6pm or visit their website on www.carergateway.gov.au (there is an option to “request a call back” button, at the bottom of every page).
Carer Gateway Service Providers are the organisations or groups of organisations that will deliver in-person support under the Integrated Carer Support Services in the 16 Carer Gateway service areas across Australia.
So what exactly does The Benevolent Society do?
The Benevolent Society is your Carer Gateway Service Provider in Metropolitan Sydney (excluding South West Sydney and Nepean). We are working in partnership with Your Side, who have a strong reputation delivering services for carers in Northern Sydney, to deliver this program. When you call the Carer Gateway 1800 number, you’ll come directly to The Benevolent Society. Our team will discuss with you how best they can support you in accessing local services.
What is the process for accessing services?
When you call the Carer Gateway, our team will walk you through some questions designed to understand what services will help you in your caring role.
These questions will ask about:
- Health
- The caring role
- Managing at home
- Time for yourself
- How you feel
- Finances
- Work
Based on your answers, we will provide you with information, advice and referrals to services already available or our Carer Gateway Services.
What if I don’t live in Sydney?
There are Carer Gateway Service Providers all across Australia. We are working as one team to deliver the best possible services for Carers, so we will make sure that you speak to the right person.
What about the services I’m currently accessing?
If you’re currently accessing carer services, your local provider should have updated you about the changes. Most current carer services (like CRCC) will be transitioning to the Carer Gateway, and all of the Carer Gateway Service Providers are working hard to make sure that the transition is as seamless as possible. Please note that these changes do not affect any other state or territory services carers may be receiving, including Young Carer Bursaries or other services delivered through My Aged Care or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Information sessions postponed
The Benevolent Society was preparing to host a series of information sessions for the launch of new support services specifically designed for carers. However, due to the spread of Coronavirus we have had to postpone these sessions until further notice.
Get in touch for more information or to join our peer workforce
We are seeking to engage a peer workforce made up of people with experience of caring, to deliver peer support activities, if you’re interested please submit your interest here. You can also submit this form to request more information about the services.