Monday 14 February 2022

Several Neighbourhood Houses are among 22 organisations which will help unpaid carers gain access to employment and training, as part of the State Government’s $2 million Carers Employment Support Program.

With funding secured by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria in partnership with Carers Victoria, the ‘Connecting Carers’ program is providing ten Neighbourhood Houses with resources to develop and implement projects that will assist unpaid carers who wish to renter the workforce.

These ten Houses are spread across the state to work in a number of diverse communities.

"We know a carer’s employment journey can be difficult, with a lack of tailored support. This Connecting Carers program is an important step in helping to fill that gap," Neighbourhood Houses Victoria CEO Nicole Battle said.

“With carers often left out of the workforce due to their complex caring needs, these programs look to re-engage them with the community and assist them in their pathway to paid employment or training.

“We want to make sure that carers get the support they need, no matter where they are on their employment journey.”

The program will support carers to enter or re-enter the workforce, undertake vocational training, or up-skill to become job ready. This includes pre-employment mentoring to build confidence, practical assistance such as respite and material support, resume writing, carer relief, and support to help carers maintain employment. 

“A one size fits all approach is not appropriate to understand the needs of carers,” Nicole said.

“With participating Houses situated in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Victoria, Neighbourhood Houses are suitably positioned to tailor their services to cater to the diverse needs of carers in their communities.”

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Anthony Carbines said, “This ensures opportunities are available to those wanting to return to work, as getting back into the workforce can be a real challenge for carers, who often spend years caring full time for a loved one.”

The Neighbourhood Houses participating in the Connecting Carers Program are:

• Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre
  11 Tuppen Street, Sebastopol
• Cloverdale Community Centre
  167-169 Purnell Road, Corio
• Cobram Community House
  43-45 Punt Road, Cobram
• Open Door Neighbourhood House
  61 Burke Street, Wangaratta
• Prahran Community Learning Centre
  40 Grattan Street, Prahran
• Red Cliffs Community Resource Centre
  23 Indi Avenue, Red Cliffs
• Sale Neighbourhood House
  19-21 Leslie Street, Sale
• Springvale Neighbourhood House
  46-50 Queens Avenue, Springvale
• Wyndham Community & Education Centre
  20 Synnot Street, Werribee
• Yarraville Community Centre
  59 Francis Street, Yarraville

Separate to the funding secured by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria in partnership with Carers Victoria, the Neighbourhood House network CHAOS and Nillumbik Living and Learning have also received funding as part of the same grant program.

The Connecting Carers program is a partnership between: