Join our vision of change for Canberra's carers

The cost-of-living crisis, rising mental health challenges, and job insecurity are pressing issues affecting many in our community right now. Yet imagine facing all of this before the current economic downturn, and before COVID-19 changed our world.

Imagine living in a constant state of financial strain, emotional stress, and social isolation, simply because you care for a loved one.

This is the daily reality for tens of thousands of unpaid carers in Canberra.

Carers ACT represents these individuals, the silent champions of our community, who provide essential, unpaid care for family members living with disability, chronic illness, mental health issues, or age-related frailty.

While the rest of Canberra grapples with today’s economic and social pressures, many carers have been living this struggle for decades, often without recognition or adequate support.

The numbers tell a sobering story:

• Almost half of all carers in the ACT who receive the Carer Payment have been on it for more than a decade.
• Carers face significantly fewer employment and education opportunities compared with their peers, making them more susceptible to poverty.
• The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 58 per cent of carers under the age of 16 have a psychological or psychiatric primary medical condition.

Being a carer should not mean a lifetime of compromised health, wellbeing, education and financial security. Yet, too often, it does. At Carers ACT, we believe it’s time for a fundamental shift in how our society values and supports carers.

Everyone will be a carer, know a carer, or be cared for at some point in their life. This is an issue that touches us all.

We envision a Canberra where:

• 100 per cent of carers are recognised, valued, and included.
• Being a carer does not negatively impact health, wellbeing, or financial security.
• Carers have choices about their lives and lifestyles and are fully engaged in the community.

Achieving this vision requires a collective effort. We need more than just government support, we need businesses, individuals, and the wider community to step up.

For 20 years, Shaw Building Group has been a shining example of what this support looks like. Through its partnership with Carers ACT, the company has raised nearly $2 million, enabling us to provide a range of vital and flexible programs. These include counselling services, respite care, financial assistance, home modifications, and social connection programs that directly improve carers’ lives.

Consider Ashley, who at just 18 had already spent most of her life caring for her legally blind mother while juggling her own studies. Thanks to Shaw Building Group’s support, Ashley received an iPad to assist with her schooling and was able to attend her year 12 formal, an experience she would have otherwise missed.

Then there’s Amal, in her 60s, who cares for her elderly parents. Her father’s mobility issues made it difficult for him to remain at home safely. With Shaw’s support, we installed ramps, grip rails, and other home modifications, allowing Amal’s parents to stay in their home longer.

These stories illustrate the real difference community support can make to carers. Shaw Building Group saw the need for change 20 years ago and took action. Its long-term commitment has helped Carers ACT grow and respond to the unique needs of carers in meaningful, flexible ways.

This is about more than just fundraising. It’s about creating a better Canberra for carers. We are calling on businesses, individuals, and the community to build on Shaw Building Group’s legacy and help accelerate this movement for change.

Together, we can make Canberra the best place in Australia to be a carer. Let’s ensure that no-one’s health, wellbeing, or financial future is compromised because they chose to care for someone they love.

Help us create a Canberra where carers are recognised, valued, and supported, not just by organisations such as Carers ACT, but by every corner of our community. To find out how you can get involved, visit www.CarersACT.org.au.

Lisa Kelly is the chief executive officer of Carers ACT and is passionately committed to ensuring that carers receive high quality support and services, and receive recognition of their role within the community.