Alzheimers Australia Alzheimers Australia is the peak body providing support and advocacy for the 500,000 Australians living with dementia. The Family & Carers section of their website provides practical information and support to family members and carers of people living with dementia. Alzheimers Australia is committed to meeting the language needs of all members of the community. Dementia information is available in a number of languages including  Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese - visit the Supporting CALD Carers section of our website. ARAFMI NSW ARAFMI provides support and advocacy for families and friends with mental illness or disorder. If you have just discovered that a family member or friend has a mental illness or disorder you may be feeling shocked, confused and afraid. There is a solution to these feelings of despair if you know what to expect or how best to help the person you care for. ARAFMI reaches out with friendship and understanding to all whose lives are touched by mental illness. Its aim is to maintain and improve existing levels of support and crisis resolution to all relatives and friends of people with a mental illness, including connecting families to support services and information, Carers in rural NSW, Carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, Carers from non-English speaking backgrounds and young people, especially siblings and children of the mentally ill. ARAFMI's Family and Carer Mental Health Program is funded by the NSW Government (NSW Mental Health Plan and NSW Action Plan for Carers) with the objective of ensuring mental health Carers in the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service receive individual support and advocacy, education and training, and access to peer support to assist them in their caring role. For information on Support Groups contact ARAFMI on 9888 1819 (Northern Sydney area) or 4324 0000 (Central Coast area) or email fcmhp@arafmi.org Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre Carers Program Download the Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre December Newsletter for information on the following upcoming courses and events: Community College courses for 2010 Women's Hair & Makeup course - December 4th 9.30-2.00pm Christmas BBQ for Carers and care recipients Bead making for women with a mental illness Film "Julie & Julia" and lunch at Orpheum cinema Cremorne - December 9th 11.00am - 1.30pm Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW - December 16th Fitness & Leisure Courses for Consumers "Shakespeare on the Green" at Waverton 5th - 21st February Wednesday Night Education Forums - starting February 2010 Health & Fitness Programs The Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre Carers Program is tailored to meet individual needs and promotes health and wellbeing for Carers and people with mental illness. The Carers Program can: Provide a range of wellbeing activities on site Provide information and advice about respite options Assist with planning of respite to suit your needs Give you support to access services Provide links to Carer Support networks Identify ways to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. Check back regularly for new events and activities being offered over the next few months that will provide Carers with a break from caring and allow them to look after their own wellbeing: Monday Morning Drumming Sessions FREE drumming sessions for carers of people with a mental illness are held at Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre every Monday morning 10am-12noon (except public holidays). Drumming is known to be good for health and wellbeing, decreasing stress and providing a place for Carers to meet other people sharing similar experiences. Club Cha Trivia 6.00pm Wednesday Nights at the Kirribilli Club, Harbourview Crescent, Kirribilli. Come along and spend time with your partner, a friend and other carers over a drink, Yum Cha dinner and a good game of trivia. The first night attended is free for carers and their families, following that it is $20. RSVP is essential, phone Paul Oglesby on 8920 0765 or email wrap3@kncsydney.org For more information on any of the above contact Ruth Jacka, Coordinator, Phone (02) 8920 0675 or email bradfieldparkcoordinator@kncsydney.org Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre's Carers Program is being evaluating as part of their planning process for 2009 activities and projects. If you have been referred to their service, or may be interested in their service, please complete their feedback form. Bradfield Park Upcoming Events ... Handyperson Course for carers of people with a mental illness, drug and alcohol problem or autism - an 8 week course that runs over 4 weeks during November and February 2010 (Monday or Wednesday mornings). Venue: the Mens Shed, Headen Park Hall, Sinclair Avenue, Thornleigh. Course is free for carers. Learn how to fix or repair small problems around your home without the need to call a technician or tradesman - replace light bulbs/fuses, replace tap washers, fix a leaking toilet, replace a broken tile, attach the gas bottle to your BBQ, hang your pictures and plug a hole in the wall. Please contact Ruth Jacka for more information or to book your place call Paul on 8920 0805, email wrap3@kncsydney.org CARE for families CARE for Families is a no-cost program and is a long-term education, support and counseling program developed for people with a mental illness, and anyone who supports them in their recovery process. You can download the Referral Form.