Update from Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance

We Care! campaign

Since its launch in May the We Care! campaign has attracted more than 500 emails to the Prime Minister and more than 12,000 Friends on Facebook.

Various media activity is underway for the coming months, plus carer 'Mingle' events around the country. Are you or your organisation able to host a two to three hour get-together for carers who want to meet, share, and wave the flag for We Care? Please contact us. We have campaign postcard messages which can be popped into the post for the Prime Minister available. If you have an upcoming mailing or support meeting, please request postcards for the family carers and supporters in your network: 0800 777 797 or email sara@carers.net.nz

The campaign runs through the general election until mid 2012 and aims to ensure thoughtful leadership and decision-making for carers, as well as raising social awareness in New Zealand about family caregiving.

Carers NZ thanks everyone who has supported the campaign, particularly its not for profit colleagues in the Carers Alliance, who have helped to fund the campaign, and bring it to life.

Watch for the Spring issue of Family Care magazine, which will feature responses from all political leaders and parties about how they would support family carers if they are part of the new government after November 2011.

Meanwhile, learn about the campaign and send an email to the Prime Minister at www.wecare.org.nz (messages can be anonymous, or send our simple message 'Please listen to family carers').

And don't forget to visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wecarenz ... stay up to date by becoming a We Care! Friend on Facebook!

Carer Infopacks

Carers NZ's national carer information centre is piloting special information packs for carers which include the Government's Guide for Carers, the latest issue of Family Care, plus a range of help information every carer should know about. These colourful packs feature images from Terry Winn's Caring Moments collection and are a foundation learning resource for carers of any age or any caring situation.

Would your organisation like to use these packs as a foundation resource for carers in your network? Just add your information on top of ours and distribute to carers! To inquire phone (0800) 777 797 or email sara@carers.net.nz

We are working on a 'virtual' infopack that will allow carers to 'pick and pack' their own preferred information and learning contents for online viewing and downloading. The virtual infopack is also part of our new Caring@Home wellbeing and learning programme for carers and will be available soon ... along with other 'watch and learn' resources. We will keep you informed about the availability of these new learning tools, developed as a Carers' Strategy outcome in priority areas important to carers:

• Accessing support (see our infopacks)
• Emergency first aid in a home setting (with St John)
• Safe lifting and shifting (with ACC)
• Managing continence at home (with the NZ Continence Association)
• Carer Wellbeing (Wayne Halkyard's Strength for Caring programme, and the new Stretch, Focus & Relax series with Anna Filliol
• And more!

We have been working with Careerforce, Alzheimer's NZ, and the NZ Continence Association to ensure that carers' prior learning can be recognised for employment and study purposes ... almost 26% of carers in our recent survey say recognition of their skills is important.

Winter Family Care

The latest issue of our magazine is available now. You can view it online at www.issuu.com/familycareworld or contact us to inquire about a subscription. Shortly the magazine will be available in digital format at www.zinio.com

Abuse of non-verbal people

Often prosecutions of those who physically, verbally, and/or sexually abuse those who are not able to speak out do not proceed, as the victim cannot give evidence conventionally. Carers NZ hopes to work with Police, Justice, and the Carers Alliance to improve outcomes for victims of abuse.

Without convictions, those who commit abuse can move from job to job, no doubt harming others. If you would like to be involved with or support this work, please get in touch.

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