Carer support service brings personal message to Nambour

A free support service for unpaid carers has used a Nambour business gathering to remind the community that many people carrying heavy responsibilities do not have to do it alone.

Wellways Carer Gateway sponsored the Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catch Up on July 2, with Community Services Manager Coralie Traynor sharing her own experience of caring for her partner after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Ms Traynor said she took a year off work to support him through medical appointments, medication, government services, end-of-life documentation, household management and special meals.

“The caring responsibilities really took a toll on me physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and otherwise,” she said.

“I called the Carer Gateway for support and I received some counselling support, which was really integral.”

Ms Traynor said that support helped her deal with the changes in her relationship and the grief of losing her partner. She now works for the program and also cares for her elderly mother.

“My name is Coralie Traynor and I am a carer,” she said.

The Wellways Carer Gateway drop-in centre is at 24 Lowe Street, Nambour, next to the Police Beat.

Ms Traynor said the service supported people caring for loved ones with illness, disability, mental health conditions, frailty, chronic health conditions or terminal illness.

“Our team wraps support around anyone caring for a loved one,” she said.

The free support includes counselling, peer support groups, coaching, vocational navigation and aged care navigation.

“The Carer Gateway is designed to be a place where you can come, take some time out, receive some support and actually not feel so alone,” Ms Traynor said. “We really try and understand your needs and pair you with the services and the funding that you are entitled to.”

“The Carer Gateway is designed to be a place where you can come, take some time out, receive some support and actually not feel so alone,” Coralie Traynor.