Accessibility

Best wishes for 2012!

The summer weather is finally arriving, which should lift everyone's spirits and help us all look forward to the year ahead.

The National Carer Information Centre has resumed its normal operations and is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.  If you have a query or would like to request a free information pack, or need advice or a copy of the Government's Guide for Carers, please give us a call on 0800 777 797.  Alternatively, you can send your inquiry to  sara@carers.net.nz

Our Helpline has been busy already as family carers organise the year ahead.

We are pleased at the inquiries we are receiving from health professionals wanting to better support carers, and look forward to working with you during the year.

Highlights of 2012 will include:  the launch of our new Caring@Home wellbeing and learning channel at YouTube, and our new CarersAir website which is designed to help carers self-navigate to find the information, advice, learning and support they most need.

Last year we organised a number of 'real world' events and consultations around the country, but found that despite spending heaps of money and time to promote these, only a few people could attend.  By comparison, hundreds of carers participated in online surveys, sent queries, and asked for information to be sent to them electronically.

We've noticed a big, big change in how the majority of carers want to be supported ... and it's electronic all the way.

This doesn't mean that Carers NZ won't continue to organise get togethers for carers.  In fact, we look forward to organising Mingles for communities across the country during the year so carers have opportunities to meet each other, ask questions, receive information, and share their knowledge with others.  If your organisation would like to host a carer Mingle in your community, we can help with infopacks and suggest a format that carers might enjoy.  We can also help to promote your Mingle (whether this is for your whanau, church, RSA, library, not for profit, DHB, health organisation, medical practice, or other 'gathering place' for carers).

We will keep you informed through the year of activities, events, information, and government developments to support you in your caring role, and welcome your ideas and feedback as always.

Our resolution for the New Year is a simple one ... to try our very best to help as many carers and supporters as we can.

All the best for 2012 from Sara, Tanya, Laurie, Alisha and Jean

Have your say for family carers at www.wecare.org.nz 

Please click through to the We Care! campaign website and have a say for family carers.  Click Email John Key to send a message to the Prime Minister, or click Photo Messages to upload your very own photo message of support.  If you're a Facebook user, please see www.facebook.com/wecarenz and ‘Like' the campaign. You can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/wecarenz  Visit the We Care! website to have a voice and a face in the campaign, to view news and speeches, or to upload your own photo message or send an email to John Key asking him to take a direct interest in the needs and welfare of Kiwi carers ... it takes just a second!

2012 will be a challenging year for the carer movement as not for profits lobby for true support and commitment for our country's 420,000+ family carers.  Government needs to move faster to assist carers, and ensure the 2008 Carers' Strategy is properly implemented.  The Carers Alliance of 45 national not for profits, for which Carers NZ acts as Secretariat, believes coordinated help for carers is not something that can be postponed yet again because of the economy or the consequences of the Canterbury earthquakes.  In fact, these events make it all the more crucial that New Zealand's biggest health workforce is protected and nurtured.  If you are a carer, or support the precious role of family caring, do take a few minutes to participate in our We Care! campaign.  It's easy, and your support will make a difference.

See carers' photo messages and upload your own at www.wecare.org.nz

New carer infopacks!

Launched as a trial in May 2011, each pack contains the Government's updated Guide for Carers, the latest issue of Family Care magazine, plus a range of other resources we think all carers should have. These packs will evolve over time and are useful for carers of any age or caring situation. Organisations and health professionals: please request packs for carers in your networks. Our 'foundation packs' can be regionalised, localised, or tailored for your community by adding your own information! They are attractive, and ready to post with your label ... or simply give them to the carers you support. As the packs are currently unfunded, we ask for a koha to cover courier costs for bulk requests. Email sara@carers.net.nz or phone 0800 777 797 to request infopacks. If you just want Guides please phone the national helpline 0800 777 797 ... these are completely free and for bulk orders we can arrange free delivery from the Ministry of  Social Development.

Summer issue of Family Care

The Summer issue of Family Care is available now.  Please contact us to request a free trial copy, or to request an nnual $25 subscription which covers four issues of the magazine ($45 for two years). If you support a carer, an older person, or a 'self carer' managing their own health or disability needs, a subscription to Family Care (Carers NZ's official publication) makes a wonderful gift, and will ensure they feel part of a strong and growing community, and stay informed about important developments. To subscribe, please phone 0800 777 797 or send your subscription fee (cheque or credit card details) to PO Box 133, Mangonui, Far North 0442. Click here to download our subscription form.

Copyright Carers NZ

Follow us: Flickr Twitter Facebook Privacy | Site map | Accessibility | Unsubscribe