Carer Connect

About

The South West Carers Network was established in 1998 and was followed by the South West Respite Network in 2000. The South West Carer and Respite Services Network formed in February 2010 as a result of the South West Respite Network and the South West Carer Network combining to form a collaborative partnership with both respite and carer services throughout South West Victoria. The South West Carer and Respite Services Network is made up of organisations ranging from Federal, State and Local Government, Not-For-Profit and Community Support Groups and Agencies who provide Carer and/or Respite services and support across the five (5) local government areas of Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool City, Glenelg and Southern Grampians. The South West Carer and Respite Services Network has been able to consolidate partnerships with non-carer specific services in the region as well as maintaining strong links with aged, mental health and disability carer support services. Member organisations provide essential carer and respite services to people who provide care and support to family members and friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or age-related condition. The Network supports member organisations to work collaboratively to improve carer and respite services in the South West by identifying gaps and issues, building partnerships, providing a focal point for interagency information sharing, identifying the needs of service users, and by maximising the use of available resources to the region.