General News
28 February, 2024
Carefoot Bowls chance to connect
CARERS across the Corangamite Shire are invited to relax and enjoy a game of bowls next week.
Two events – dubbed Carefoot Bowls Community Day - will be held in the shire for carers to attend.
A sesssion will be held in Timboon on Monday, at the Timboon Bowling Club in Fox Street Timboon between 3.30pm and 6pm.
Mpower senior carer services co-ordinator Judi Mutsaers said there had been strong interest from carers already connected with them.
“The challenge is to find those who don’t identify as being a carer, are reluctant to ask for help, or don’t know where to find it,” she said.
“We often don’t meet carers until they’re in crisis, people who’ve been absorbing the mental, physical and financial stress of caring without any support, until they’re completely burnt out and we want to stop people from getting to that point.
“We encourage anyone in a caring role, no matter how big or small they think it might be, to come along to a Carefoot Bowls day and find out more.”
The aim of the events is to connect carers with service providers and support groups and to have some time out from their caring role.
Ms Mutsaers said community bowls clubs are a “conduit” to a range of networks in rural and regional towns and an untapped resource for raising awareness and reaching hidden carers.
“At the conclusion of each event we hope to find a team of carers to represent each club at a Carefoot Bowls tournament in Warrnambool to further raise awareness of carers and the work that they do,” she said.
“We want as many local service providers, carers and community members to attend as possible, will provide food, music, massages for carers, some fun bowling action and links to our carer support groups for ongoing assistance.”
Mpower was one of 25 not-for-profit organisations in the state to receive funding to support local carers.
Ms Mutsaers encouraged carers or community members wanting to attend either event to contact Mpower reception on 5561 8111 and register.