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Carer Engagement

January - March 2020Wellbeing, social and educational events for carers in Melbourne’s East

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About the Program

How to register your interest

VMCH’s Carer Support Program is designed to support you with practical information and can offer a range of flexible respite and support options to suit your individual needs and the person you are caring for. This includes the Educational Workshops and Social/Wellbeing Events listed in this booklet.

Eligibility: Carers living in the Eastern region and who care for a person with care needs, including:

• People with a mental illness• People with a disability • People with a chronic condition or illness• Older people with care needs• People in palliative care

To register your interest please email carereventseast@vmch.com.au or call the Carer Support Program on 1300 971 720.

Respite support while attending events

If you require respite support for the person you care for whilst you are at an event, please advise at the time of registering your interest.

Allocation of places

Please note registering your interest for an event does not guarantee you a place. Allocations are based on carer need and not on a first-come, first-served basis. Newly registered carers and carers who have not attended events previously are usually given at first consideration. Your understanding with this is greatly appreciated.

If there is a place available for you at an event, a member of the Carer Support Team will be in contact at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.

Please Note: Expressing interest does not automatically guarantee you a place. If you do not receive a phone call or email, you have been placed on the Waiting List and will be contacted if a place becomes available.

We value your feedbackAt Carer Support, we want to ensure that we are providing you with the experiences that are worthwhile to you

Is there anything that you want to see more of? Is there anything that you’d like to see less of?

Your Feedback can help us improve your experiences with VMCH Carer Support, so please feel free to email: carereventseast@vmch.com.au, or write to us at: Carer Support Services Building C Level 3 355 Stud Road Wantirna VIC 3152

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Are you interested in learning methods to manage the stresses of everyday life?

VMCH is taking expressions of interest from Carers who would like to participate in our pilot fortnightly classes of Meditation or Yoga.

Please Note: Carers will need to be able to complete the full 5 fortnightly classes

When submitting your Expression of Interest, please state whether you want to attend the Meditation or Yoga classes.

Workshop Details:

Date: Thursday 30 January 2020 to Thursday 2 April 2020

Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Where: Alvie Hall: High Street Road cnr Alvie Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Alvie Hall

Carer's Gym

Meditation/ Yoga

Carers are invited to participate in a fully - supervised Gym program at our Wantirna site.

People of all abilities and fitness levels are welcome to participate.

An information session will be held for new Attendees, who will need to complete an assessment prior to commencing the program

Current Participants will need to advise whether or not they wish to continue with their program.

Session Days/Times

Tuesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am Thursdays: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Session Details:

Date: Tuesday 28 January 2020 to Thursday 26 March 2020

Where: Building A (Gym) 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the gym

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Bring the family along to enjoy an exclusive, sensory-friendly viewing of “Spies In Disguise” at Knox VJunior Cinema.

Please Note: At the time of expressing your interest, you need to advise how many family members (including yourself) that you would like to attend this movie.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 8 January 2020

Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm

Where: Knox VJunior Cinema: Westfield Knox, Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the cinema

Once the Australian home of world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and now that of award-winning, estate-grown Coombe Farm Wines and the newly opened garden, restaurant and gallery facility Coombe – The Melba Estate.

Enjoy a tour of the beautiful gardens, followed by a relaxed lunch in the Restaurant.

Transport provided from Knox City Shopping Centre Staff Carpark, if required.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday 14 January 2020 or Thursday 23 January 2020

Time: 10:45am - 3:15pm (Lunch booking: 12:00pm - 2:00pm)

Where: Coombe Yarra Valley: 673-675 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream VIC 3770

Cost: Free

Shopping Centre

Family Movie: Spies In Disguise (Sensory-Friendly)

Coombe Yarra Valley -Lunch and Garden Tour

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Explore your creative side by making a clay pot that you will then put a plant in, to keep for yourself or give as a gift.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 17 January 2020

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Where: Alvie Hall - High Street Road cnr Alvie Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Alvie Hall

Escape for a short while into the world of movies … Based on the seminal Broadway musical, a tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday 18 January 2020

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm (Movie starts at 2:00pm)

Where: Palace Cinema Balwyn: 231 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn VIC 3103

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the cinema

Cats (The Movie)

Craft Workshop: Polymer Clay Pots

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Enjoy a delightful High Tea experience at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Be spoiled by the selection of decadent petite delights, scones, ribbon sandwiches, pastries and endless organic local teas, barista coffee and real hot chocolates.

Please Note: The High Tea menu is not adaptable to gluten free or dairy free variations.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 31 January, 2020

Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (High Tea: 11:00am-1:00pm)

Where: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen Vic 3775

Cost: Free

Transport: Transport will be provided from Knox

Learn how to make Mozzarella at Pietro Gallo Estate in Warrandyte, where they will guide you through the hands-on process of creating your own mozzarella (that you get to take home!), whilst covering the fundamentals of cheese making overall.

This will be followed by a light lunch including their house-made cheese and glass of estate wine, at Olivigna Restaurant

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 29 January 2020

Time: 10:00am – 1:30pm

Where: Pietro Gallo Estate: 54-56 Brumbys Road, Warrandyte South VIC 3134

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Olivigna (Pietro Gallo Estate)

Cheese Masterclass

High Tea: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

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A true New York City Institution, ‘Chicago’ has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another and the slickest dancing in town.

* The role of Billy Flynn will be played by Jason Donovan for the Melbourne season.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 5 February 2020

Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm (Show Time: 12:30pm - 3:30pm)

Where: Arts Centre Melbourne: 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004

Cost: Free

Transport: Transport will be provided from Knox Shopping Centre

Chicago The Musical

Join us for lunch at the villa-inspired Olivigna Restaurant (part of the Pietro Gallo Estate), a picturesque escape in Tuscany, yet just 45 minutes from Melbourne.

We will also enjoy the authentic experience of indulging in the flavours of Italy through Pietro Gallo Liqueur and Grappa.

Olivigna: Lunch and Grappa Appreciation Tour

Session Details:

Date: Friday 14 February 2020

Time: 10:45am - 2:30pm

Where: Pietro Gallo Estate: 54-56 Brumbys Road, Warrandyte South VIC 3134

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Olivigna (Pietro Gallo Estate)

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Enjoy a delightful day out at the Royal Botanical Gardens, where you will be taken on a tour of the gardens, followed by Punting on the Lake and High Tea.

Please Note: A moderate level of fitness is required, as we will be participating in a 1½ hour Guided Walking Tour of the Botanical Gardens.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 19 February 2020

Time: 9:15pm - 3:30pm (Garden Tour commences 10:30am)

Where: Royal Botanical Gardens: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3000

Cost: Free

Transport: Transport will be provided from Knox City Shopping Centre

Royal Botanical Gardens

Lose yourself in a world of luxury with an overnight stay at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne, where you will experience the utmost level of pampering and indulgence.

Luxury City Escape

Session Details:

Date: Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 February 2020

Time: Saturday 10:00am to Sunday 12:30pm

Where: The Langham, Melbourne: One Southgate Avenue, Southbank, VIC 3006

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to The Langham

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Come along learn how to make a Rustic Fused Hoop Silver Pendant to wear or give as a gift, followed by a relaxed lunch at Wyreena’s Conservatory Café.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 26th February 2020 or Wednesday 4th March 2020

Time: 9:45am - 2:45pm

Where: Wyreena Community Centre: 13-23 Hull Road, Croydon VIC 3136

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Wyreena

Jewellery Making Workshop and Lunch

Sometimes it helps to talk about your experiences as a carer, but at other times it’s enough to just enjoy the company of others without having to explain yourself.

Come and spend time with other male carers over a relaxed lunch at Waverley RSL.

Mens Lunch

Event Details:

Date: Friday 28 February 2020

Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Where: Waverley RSL: 161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley VIC 3150

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Waverley RSL

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Escape for a short while into the world of movies …

After freeing a young Bedouin girl from her unjust imprisonment in Jerusalem, Phryne Fisher begins to unravel a decade-old mystery concerning priceless emeralds, ancient curses and the truth behind the suspicious disappearance of Shirin's forgotten tribe.

Event Details:

Date: Monday 2 March 2020

Time: 11:30am - 2:00pm (Movie starts at 12:00pm)

Where: Palace Cinema Balwyn: 231 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn VIC 3103

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to the cinema.

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (Movie)

Dementia Carers and Care Recipients are invited to enjoy an a carte lunch at Madeline’s in Jells Park, with views of the park lands and lake.

Dementia Carer and Care Recipients Lunch

Session Details:

Date: Wednesday 11 March 2020

Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Where: Madeline’s Restaurant at Jells Park, Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill 3150

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Madeline’s Restaurant

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Join us for an entertaining afternoon at Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, for their production of “The Full Monty”

Six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield in England, with nothing to lose, decide to form a male striptease act in order to gather enough money to get somewhere else in life and for the main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday 15 March 2020

Time: 1:30am - 4:30pm

Where: Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: 39-41 Castella Street, Lilydale VIC 3140

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre

The Full Monty (Theatre Production)

Carers are invited to join us for a relaxed dinner at Bucatini Restaurant in Mitcham.

Preference will be given to Carers who have not yet attended a Carer Event through VMCH.

Bucatini Restaurant

Session Details:

Date: Monday 16 March 2020

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Where: 454 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham VIC 3132

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way Bucatini

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Build your own mini garden and learn the principles of sustaining its water cycle, maintaining plant health, and the science behind the craft that will assist you to build many more terrariums.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 20 March 2020

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Where: Alvie Hall - High Street Road cnr Alvie Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Alvie Hall

Craft Workshop: Terrariums

Immerse yourself in the cultural hub of Melbourne’s CBD, by indulging in a “City Escape” experience in the heart of Melbourne. Be entertained by the antics of Billy, in “Billy Elliott: The Musical” as well as a 2½ hour Walking Tour of some of Melbourne’s iconic Laneways and Arcades

Cultural City Escape

Session Details:

Date: Saturday 21 March 2020 – Sunday 22 March 2020

Time: 11:30am Saturday – 1:00pm Sunday

Where: Adelphi Hotel: 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Adelphi Hotel

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Create a Pottery Bird Bath for your yard, or to give as a gift, followed by a relaxed lunch at Wyreena’s Conservatory Café.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 27 March 2020

Where: Wyreena Community Centre: 13-23 Hull Road, Croydon VIC 3136

Time: 9:45am - 1:45pm

Cost: Free

Transport: Please make your own way to Wyreena Community Centre

Pottery Bird Bath Workshop and Lunch

This group is a peer support group for partners caring for their loved one with a mental health diagnosis.

They meet on the first Saturday of every month (excluding Public Holidays), 1:00pm – 3:00pm at Lifeworks Ringwood

For more information, please contact Carer Support on 1300 971 720

Partners Support Group

This group offers support for Mental health carers (family and friends)

They meet on the third Wednesday of every month (excluding Public Holidays), 7:45pm at Ferntree Gully Uniting Church

For more information, please contact: Barb Edwards on (03) 9726 5694

Ferntree Gully Family Support Group

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Carer Support Groups

Many carers find it beneficial to meet with others in a similar situation to themselves. Sometimes it helps to talk about your experiences, while other times it is comfort enough just to enjoy the company of others over a cuppa. Either way, we hope that one of our groups will meet your needs. New carers are always welcome.

Dementia Carer Support Group This group supports carers of people living with dementia. No matter what point in your journey you are at, this group is here to assist you in your caring role and is facilitated by one of our friendly staff members. For more information please contact Elizabeth on 1300 971 720.

Mental Health Carer Support Group This group aims to support carers of someone living with a mental health illness including depression, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. For more information please contact Carer Support on 1300 971 720.

Wantirna Carer Support Group This group is made up of current and former carers who enjoy regular activities, including dinners, lunches and outings along with monthly meetings.

For more information please contact Sandie on 9764 9070. Chinese Carer Support Group This group meets regularly to socialise, share stories and offer support to carers from a Chinese background. The group is specifically for people caring for loved ones who are aged and need support. For more information please contact Rani on 03 9800 7255.

When: Last Tuesday of every month (excluding public holidays)

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: Ashburton Community Centre – 160 High St Ashburton 3147

When: Last Thursday of every month (excluding December and public holidays)

Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm

Where: The Keystone Restaurant – 5 Harcrest Blvd, Wantirna South 3152

When: First Friday of every month (excluding public holidays)

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: VMCH Meeting Room, Building A – 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South 3152

1300 971 720 carereventseast@vmch.com.au vmch.com.au

For further information Building C, Level 3 355 Stud Road Wantirna South, 3152

Join the conversation

The Support for Carers program is supported by the Victorian Government.

The information in this brochure has been prepared by VMCH (Villa Maria Catholic Homes) as a general guide to our services and operations. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, VMCH accepts no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused by reliance on the information set out in this brochure. Please contact us if you require detailed information about any of our services. November 2019.

As a Catholic organisation, VMCH is committed to providing compassionate care in a nurturing environment to all residents and clients. VMCH does not support and will not facilitate Voluntary Assisted Dying. VMCAHBCH0119