By Renee Wood
Carers are encouraged to join a local support group which is using walking to generate social and practical connections.
Pathways for Carers holds a Healesville walk monthly to provide an opportunity for carers of people with a disability or mental illness to connect with other carers, nature and learn about local support and services.
Mandy Grant has been attending the walks for a few years now and said it’s great way to hold a support group and to be able to share information.
“They’re really good for sharing information, and the actual walk you’re doing something healthy and you can talk one on one or in a group of three as you’re walking along,” Ms Grant said.
The carers set out from Beechworth Bakery and walk around Healesville before returning to the bakery for a free coffee and cake.
Special guests are also booked in for varying months who may highlight different services or even different groups from the Healesville area.
The end of year walk coming up in December is connecting with the Healesville Community Garden to share with carers how they can get involved in the garden.
Tracey Wannet has only recently joined and said the guest speakers are very beneficial.
“It’s not always speaking about disability either, we had a lady come and talk about all the trees and the broken river and the park and all different stuff,” Ms Wannet said.
Yarra Ranges Council disability inclusion officer Amanda May would like to encourage more carers to come along for the end of year walk and walks into the new year.
Ms May said the council and a Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) representative is always on hand to provide support and referrals.
“I constantly make sure that they’re connected to carers support,” Ms May said.
“A lot of carers think they’re not as badly off as other carers so they don’t want to ask for help, and I don’t want to see carers leaving it too late where they’re completely overwhelmed and exhausted.”
The end of year walk will be held on Wednesday 13 December from 9.45am to 12pm, meeting at the Beechworth Bakery before walking to the Healesville Community Garden for a tour.
Other local organisations in attendance will include HICCI, Healesville library, Healesville Connect, and VMCH Carer Supports will bring along the Summer Carer engagement program.
Walks start at 9.45am on the fourth Wednesday of every month except December (third Wednesday).
Meeting at the Beechworth Bakery, 316 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
Dates for 2023 are:
22 February
22 March
26 April
24 May
28 June
26 July
23 August
27 September
25 October
22 November
13 December
Free coffee and cake after each walk sponsored by VMCH and Beechworth Bakery.
