Kinship carers were united in a Melton event this month aimed at promoting community and sharing resources.
Held on Thursday, September 4 at the Melton Country Club, the Luncheon and Resources Expo for Kinship Carers was hosted as a partnership between Kinship Carers Victoria and Melton MP Steve McGhie.
Kinship Carers Victoria advocates for and aims to support grandparents, siblings, other relatives, and family friends raising children in out-of-home care.
The luncheon also marked the beginning of a new series of luncheon seminars for kinship carers in Melbourne’s west.
Kinship Carers Victoria provided written resources and referral to agencies that can support carers to fulfil their role.
Director Anne McLeish said the idea for the idea formed after Mr McGhie approached the organisation wanting to promote the work of kinship carers in the community.
“The purpose is to celebrate the work of kinship carers and to hear from them what sorts of services we could provide in Melton for them,” Ms McLeish said.
“It’s critical that kinship carers … [are] not alone and it’s critical that they mix with other kinship carers who understand the stresses and strains of their work.
“It’s also critical that the kinship carers mix with people from the wider community so that they realise how much that their effort is appreciated by the rest of us.”
Mr McGhie said that it is terrific to have the Melton Region Kinship Carers Group back and regularly meeting, sharing their experiences, thoughts, and ideas and supporting our most vulnerable children.
“It’s important to advocate for our carers who do an amazing job and I will continue to work with Kinship Carers Victoria to ensure carers get the support they need,” he said.
