CARERS &
 KEY SUPPORTS

CARERS & KEY SUPPORTS

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FOSTERING RECOVERY WORKSHOP
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CARER LIVED EXPERIENCE SESSIONS
Belinda at carer connect program
CARER
CONNECT
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COACHING
SESSIONS
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CARER PEER MENTOR
PROGRAM
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RE-CONNECT
EVENTS
FOSTERING RECOVERY WORKSHOP
CARER LIVED EXPERIENCE SESSIONS
CARER CONNECT
COACHING
CARER PEER MENTOR PROGRAM
RE-CONNECT EVENTS

Carers and key supports play an important role in supporting their loved one's eating disorder recovery.

A ‘carer’ or ‘key support’ is anyone supporting an individual with an eating disorder. A parent, sibling, partner, best friend, grandparent, or other significant person.
Services for Carers and Key Supports

Our services are funded by Queensland health, so there is no cost to Carer/Key Supports. Our services are offered online and in-person, for statewide access (or Queensland residents). 

hands at coaching session

These include:

  • Individual Coaching
  • Fostering Recovery Workshops
  • Carer Connect Group
  • Carer Peer Mentor Program
  • Re-Connect events

The intention of our services is to provide information, support, skills, empowerment and connection for family members, carers and key support people.

Our hope is that the provision of these services assists families, carers and key support people in their caring role, whilst maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

For information, resources and Vodcast episodes, please go to our Resource page.

Coaching Sessions

Individual Coaching is provided by our Carer & Key Support Coaches. 
Sessions aim to help carer & key supports develop an understanding of eating disorders and ways to support their loved one. 
Sessions are solution focused and tailored to each carer/key supports needs. Coaches work collaboratively to identify the challenges a carer is experiencing in supporting their loved one and to provide them with practical skills and strategies. There is no limit to the number of sessions a carer/key support can access. 

 

hands at coaching session
two sets of hands holding paper crane

Fostering Recovery Workshops

The Fostering Recovery Workshop is an evidence-based 1-day workshop that aims to help family members, carers and key support people increase their understanding of eating disorders and ways to support their loved one’s recovery.

WATCH VIDEO

This workshop is co-facilitated by a Carer & Key Supports Coach and a Lived Experience Worker, and is based on the work of Professor Janet Treasure.

Topics include: 

  • Understanding eating disorders 
  • Stages of change
  • Caring styles
  • Meal Support Approaches 
  • Communication Skills 
  • Collaborative Care Model

Feedback about the workshop includes:

“I feel much more empowered after the workshop and have more confidence in my ability to tackle the challenges ahead …” and

“Excellent content & delivery, clear explanations & examples. Use of time for discussion was well managed”.

Hear about what to expect at our Fostering Recovery Workshops

Video length 2:29mins

Carer/Key Support Lived Experience Sessions

The role of Carer/Key Support Lived Experience Worker is an exciting new addition to the carer team at EDQ.

WATCH VIDEO
hands at coaching session
The Carer/Key Support Lived Experience Worker provides a compassionate space for carers to connect with a peer who understands what it’s like to support someone with an eating disorder, to connect with someone who ‘gets it’. Sharing lived experience of caring for a loved one, with the hope to validate the carer journey and provide hope that recovery from an eating disorder is possible.

Sessions are based on what carers would like support with: navigating challenges, meal support, self-care practices, setting boundaries and carer fatigue.

Carers can access up to 10 sessions with the Carer/Key Support Lived Experience worker via phone, online or in person.

Sessions can be accessed in-conjunction with other carer support services.

Hear more about our Carer Lived Experience Sessions

Video length 1:20mins

Carer Connect Group

The Carer Connect Group provides a space for Carers/Key Support people to connect with each other and talk about thier experience supporting a loved one through eating disorder recovery.

 

The group is co-facilitated by a Carer & Key Support Coach and a Lived Experience Worker, and is run monthly. Each group features a different topic or guest speaker. The group aims to be informative and to support families and carers to support their loved ones. The evening is an opportunity to connect with others who are going through a similar journey and to hear different experiences and insights.

Feedback from people who have attended Carer Connect evenings:

“Connection with others who understand”,

“Nice to meet people who have been through the same thing”,

“Everyone is open, caring, supportive, no judgement.”

Carer Peer Mentor Program

The Carer Peer Mentor Program matches individuals who are currently supporting a loved one in their recovery from an eating disorder, with a “mentor” who has been through this journey with a loved one, and who would now like to provide connection, support and hope for other carers.

The program follows a strengths-based model and recognises the value of a carer’s lived experience specific to eating disorders, and the skills and knowledge developed as a result of their own caring role. All carer mentors are provided with training and support throughout the duration of the program.

Re-Connect Events

Throughout the year we run events tailored to carers/key supports to provide information, support and connection. 

Our Re-Connect events are themed events and often feature a guest speaker. They are accessible to past and current clients, or carers who have not yet linked in with the service. 

Additional Information and Training 

Shared Table Meal Support Online Training

This training has been designed to assist carers in the provision of meal support.  It includes information about the stages of meal support, communication skills, setting rules, boundaries and non-negotiables, and provides an in-depth look at the role nutrition plays in recovery.

Click here to access the training. 

Dates and registration details

For dates and registration details for upcoming carer events, view the calendar here. 

Additional Resources and Vodcasts

For additional resources and vodcast episodes, please go to our Resources page.  

To connect with our Carer & Key Supports Team, please send us an email at [email protected] or call 3844 6055. 

Please see below our steps for engagement.

Engaging with EDQ for Carer & Key Support services 

Steps for engagement

Any carer or key support person who would like to engage with us can contact us directly, as we are a self-referral services. This can be via web enquiry, email or phone. 

Here’s what to expect when connecting with us:

1. Contact Us

Even if your loved one is not engaged with EDQ or any support services, EDQ is here to support you as a carer/key support person. Your loved one does not need to be located in QLD, or over the age of 16. The carer does need to be located in QLD and be over the age of 16 as our only requirements.

To start, complete our Initial Contact Form, which you can find under the large purple button that reads “CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OUR CARER & KEY SUPPORT SERVICES” on the ‘Referral & Contact’ page of our website. You can also phone us to speak with one of our team members first.

 


2. Next Steps with a Carer & Key Support Coach

Once we receive your submission, one of our Carer & Key Support Coaches will reach out to guide you through the next steps. They will send you our Consent Form and book in for an Intake Appointment.

3. Intake Appointment

This appointment enables us to learn more about your situation and caring role, talk about our carer services available to you, and establish together how we may be able to meet your needs.

We allow 45 minutes for the appointment which can be done via phone, online or in person at our Brisbane Office.

4. Start Support

Depending on what program/s were established as being best suited for your needs during the intake call, you can then start engaging with our carer supports at EDQ. There is a limited wait time to commence Carer Coaching and/or Carer Lived Experience Sessions. 

There is a Carer Mailing List to keep you posted on all upcoming groups, workshops and events that you can register for. We also display this on our social media pages (Instagram and Facebook). 

Contact our team at any time for assistance regarding booking appointments or how to connect:

[email protected] or (07) 3844 6055

Donate today

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All donations over $2 to Eating Disorders Queensland are tax deductible and give real people access to counselling, practical assistance to support recovery, groups, equipment for the centre and books for our library. You can make a one-off or regular monthly donation. We would love to acknowledge your generosity and support. Please let us know if you would like to be listed as one of our supporters on either our website or in our annual report.

Get involved

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Volunteers support our valuable work and goals. We offer a range of volunteering opportunities across a broad range of interest areas, such as event planning, administration tasks, cooking, and gardening. Join our volunteer team or keep an eye out for specific volunteer opportunities via our social media.

Eating Disorders Queensland

We support a vibrant community of individuals recovering from an eating disorder, including people with lived experiences, carers and family members.

LOCATION:
51 Edmondstone Street,
Yuggera Country,
South Brisbane, QLD 4101

CALL: (07) 3844 6055

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