Connecting Carers in the Community
About the Project
Latin Stories Australia, with the support of "Carers VIC Australia" is delivering a series of 6 workshops in Spanish in February and March 2025, designed for Spanish-speaking carers* residing in the state of Victoria, Australia. These workshops aim to create a space for connection, support, and wellbeing. We seek to foster the creation of a self-sustaining community, co-created by and for its members.
About the Workshops
To begin, Latin Stories Australia will offer 6 workshops available both virtually and in-person in Melbourne. While there is an initial structure, participants will be key in the creation of the group, ensuring its sustainability and relevance to their needs.
Workshop Objectives
Create a space for connection and wellbeing.
Provide practical tools for self-care and stress management.
Establish a self-sustaining community with clear goals, internal rules, and a collectively defined meeting frequency.
Ensure the continuation of the group beyond the initial workshops.
The workshops will be led by an interdisciplinary team of professionals, including:
Life Coach and Art Therapist: Lina Carvajal
Support Worker: Juan David Vallejos
Psychologist: Felipe Arenas
Career Coach: Cristina Carvajal
Workshop Schedule
FEBRUARY
Thursday 06/02: Connecting Carers: Together, we will choose the group’s name, design the logo, and define the group dynamics and internal rules. Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Mode: Online
Thursday 13/02: Defining Our Space: We will explore our needs as carers, the topics we want to address, and how we can build a space that truly reflects our experiences and aspirations. Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Mode: Online
Thursday 20/02: Visualising the Future: We will work on defining our personal, professional, and group goals. It is an opportunity to explore the path we want to take. Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Mode: Online
MARCH
● Saturday 01/03: Strengthening Our Potential: Learn how to recognise your skills and value them as strengths in the workforce. Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Mode: In-person (Fitzroy North, VIC 3086). Lunch included
● Saturday 15/03: Resilience and Emotional Wellbeing: Learn how to take care of your mental health and manage stress. Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Mode: In-person (Fitzroy North, VIC 3086). Lunch included
● Saturday 22/03: Closure and Celebration: Let’s celebrate what we have co-created together through art therapy. Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Mode: In-person (Fitzroy North, VIC 3086). Lunch included
Note: The times are subject to change depending on the group’s availability.
What is a Support Group for Spanish-Speaking Carers?
A support group for Spanish-speaking carers is a safe and welcoming space where carers meet, both in-person and virtually, to share experiences, socialise, exchange information, and offer mutual support in their caregiving role.
This group fosters the creation of a community based on empathy and solidarity, creating an environment where carers feel heard, understood, and supported, all in their own language and in a setting that acknowledges their specific challenges. Co-creation of this space is a key value that guides its dynamic: each participant's input is crucial for identifying and addressing common needs and motivations.
Benefits of Joining the Group
Emotional Support Network: A safe space to express emotions and share experiences, reducing isolation and fostering emotional connection.
Exchange of Information and Resources: Tips, strategies, and useful resources, from self-care techniques to community support services.
Skills Development: Access to tools for managing stress, improving self-care, and building resilience.
Strengthening the Community: Fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity, enhancing cultural identity, and mutual support.
Co-creation and Self-Management: Engaging participants in structuring the group, promoting its sustainability and empowerment.
Communication in Spanish: Facilitating interaction and deep understanding by eliminating language barriers, enriching the group experience.
Confidentiality and Respect: These are the core values that will guide each meeting.
*Who is a carer
Being a carer is much more than providing support. It involves accompanying, caring for, and attending to someone in a dependent situation, whether a family member, friend, or acquaintance facing health, age, or disability challenges. Often, this work is done without financial compensation; however, we also include those who professionally care for others. In both cases, their work is essential and deserves recognition. Carers can be between 18 and 65 years old.
Context/Issues
Carers play a fundamental role in the care of those who need it most. However, this commitment comes with several challenges that impact their personal, emotional, and social wellbeing, such as:
Not identifying as carers: In many Hispanic/Latino communities, it is expected that family members care for elderly loved ones, so many do not even consider themselves carers.
Financial Impact: Over half of carers face financial difficulties due to the time spent on caregiving, limiting their job opportunities and affecting their financial stability.
Carer responsibilities often lead to the loss of career advancement opportunities, such as completing university studies or accepting promotions with more responsibilities. This not only impacts their ability to cover daily expenses but also affects their future retirement savings.
Gender-related Care Burden: Women are often the preferred carers for elderly relatives within the Hispanic/Latino community. Women are also more likely to have lower incomes and be caught between caring for young children and elderly relatives, increasing their care burden and reducing their financial opportunities.
Emotional and Psychological Strain: Stress and fatigue can result in distress and emotional exhaustion, affecting their mental health and ability to dedicate time to other activities.
Compromised Quality of Life: Carers are more than twice as likely to experience a lower quality of life compared to the average adult.
Neglecting Self-Care: There is a tendency to neglect self-care due to the lack of time available.
Social Isolation: The lack of support and social interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, further exacerbating the situation.
Unawareness of Available Resources: Many carers are unaware of the resources available to them in society.