“Caring leaves its mark on us. No matter what we do to prepare ourselves, the hole left behind looms large” 

Dale L Baker, author of More Than I could Ever Know: How I survived Care Giving

Counsellor and Art Therapist Linda Espie shares some thoughts for Carers Week

Anyone can find themselves in a support role as a family member, friend, neighbour or colleague.

One in eight people at any one time provide unpaid care or support to someone in need. There are 2.65 million carers in Australia and, according to Carers Victoria, one million Victorians will be unpaid carers in 2025, that’s one in every seven Australians.

Supporting others in any capacity, can be very rewarding. It may also take its toll physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically and spiritually, on those in support and caring roles and that’s why we support our clients, their carers and families.

As a partner, sibling, friend, grandparent, daughter, son – regardless of the relationship – caring for someone requires carers to take care of themselves too. Health and wellbeing of all in palliative care is our business.

Our commitment to ensure best practice in the delivery of all of our services for those accessing PCSE is central to our mission. Our ethos encompassing Responsiveness, Empowerment, Collaboration and Kindness underpins our focus of engagement with all.

As well as the valued outcomes of caring for others, carers may experience isolation, fatigue, grief, mixed emotions and/or financial concerns.

Our team at PCSE provides support for carers including counselling, social work, spiritual care, art and music therapy, respite, volunteer support. For more information, click here.