FCAV conducted a Caring Thru Art training session at the Anderson Inlet Anglers Club in Inverloch. The session, led by Tessa and Deb from FCAV, and Alicia on a Master of Social Work placement, aimed to provide a learning and development opportunity for Carer Kafe, focusing on self-awareness and self-care for experienced carers.
The session commenced with a discussion on self-awareness, during which carers acknowledged experiencing high levels of stress and frustration in their roles. Facilitators emphasised the importance of self-care to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue, highlighting its significance in maintaining carers’ capacity and motivation.
Art therapy was utilised as a medium to engage carers in activities promoting self-reflection and mindfulness. Activities included creating personal spaces with modelling clay, painting watercolour bookmarks, and crafting worry beads. These activities encouraged carers to explore their emotions and engage in therapeutic expression.
Facilitators led guided activities, emphasising the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in reducing stress and enhancing present-moment awareness. Carers practiced focusing their attention on the breath to cultivate mindfulness.
As carers engaged in art activities, they shared experiences of isolation and loneliness in their caregiving journey. The session provided a platform for peer support, enabling carers to connect and discuss challenges, such as complex children’s needs and limited respite support.
Participants recognised the value of face-to-face training, particularly in a regionally accessible location like Inverloch. The session facilitated meaningful connections and provided a supportive environment for carers to exchange ideas and strategies.
Carers received practical resources, including back packs of supplies for the children and young people in their care, essential oil kits, and self-care cards with ideas for nurturing well-being. Suggestions included establishing a relationship with nature and spending time outdoors to rejuvenate.
During lunch, carers continued to connect and reflect on their experiences. The nearby beach path offered a serene setting for exploration and contemplation, further enhancing the therapeutic environment of the session.
Just outside the building was the path to the beach and provided beautiful views across the bay that all could explore in their own time.
The Caring Thru Art training session at Anderson Creek Anglers Club in Inverloch provided a valuable opportunity for carers to prioritise self-care, foster peer support, and engage in therapeutic activities. The session underscored the importance of holistic well-being in caregiving and highlighted the significance of peer-based support initiatives.
Trigger Warning: This web page contains references of an Aboriginal deceased person.
Carer Kafe supported a large group of kinship, foster and permanent carers and children to attend the incredible exhibition on First Nations Art & Music titled Connection at The Lume Melbourne on Saturday 3 February 2024.
It was a moving and breathtaking experience to witness creations from over 110 visual and musical artists within an immersive environment celebrating land, water and sky country co-curated by Aboriginal Art Specialist Adam Knight and Indigenous Photographic Artist Professor Wayne Quilliam.
Attendees experienced an Acknowledgement to Country installation introducing smoking ceremonies, a main area with multiple projections, an interactive gallery and viewed original artworks on sale. The exhibition included the public premiere of Emily’s Wall, a series of works painted over a year by Anmatyerre woman Emily Kame Kngwarreye representing the passing seasons from her life.
On the day carers received the official Lume program, kids’ activity workbooks and colouring pencils to inspire young artists at home to explore the content and themes shared. We’d also like to extend our thanks to the VACCA staff who volunteered their time on the day and to The LUME Melbourne for their support in facilitating our visit.
Feedback from carers indicated that this was a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn about Aboriginal art and connection to country.
“Connection was an amazing experience, thank you so much for the opportunity to attend.”
“Our little 10-year-old and 7-year-old absolutely loved the experience and the lovely souvenir book they will keep in their memory box of special things.”
“We really loved this opportunity. The way that Carer Kafe also supported us through the information that was provided was amazing! Thank you so much!!”
“The program and activity books were wonderful and extended the learning into our home. It was lovely to sit down with my grandchild after the visit and work through the activity book whilst talking about our experience.”
Continue to look out for opportunities to attend events and upcoming Learning and Development sessions on the Carer Kafe Training Page.
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FCAV in partnership with Carer Kafe, Meli and Mackillop Foster Care teams ran a Cultural day at Rippleside Park in Geelong.
Melinda Gaye Walker a Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council also partnered with us to provide a Welcome to Country and spoke of the local area, showed a number of Aboriginal artifacts including a possum skin or Walert, Kangaroo Skin or Goim, a Coolamon (wooden vessel) and a Burl (wooden bowl).
Melinda also taught the children a dance to traditional music. They all had a lot of fun taking on the role of an emu, kangaroo or wallaby and in the process learning more about their culture. She then spoke to many carers, providing her knowledge and wisdom to all and assisted throughout the day which was a bonus.
We had Foster, Kinship and Permanent carers and children attend the day including staff from FCAV – Deb and Alicia, Meli – Allison, Carer Kafe- Linda and Mackillop foster care team including Sandra, Julia, Page, Miranda, Meisha, and Siobhan to name a few.
The children were able to explore a number of art and craft activities whereby the children and young people made their own bush necklaces using gum leaves, flowers and nuts as well as making their own sand art with native animals and bush bracelets using beads. Some of the kids talked about putting their sand art in a frame and putting it up proudly in their homes.
Overall, with the backdrop of the ocean and at times a cool breeze presenting us we were able to share and enjoy the day with so many carers and children in their care.
Several carers were able to make connections with each other and hopefully, over time gain support from each other which is always a bonus.
The Foster Care Association of Victoria in partnership with Carer Kafe, Settlement Services Victoria and Project Us Foundation were delighted to run a Cultural training session at the Islamic Museum of Australia.
The guided tour of the museum provided invaluable insights and displayed rich information on Islamic culture, religion, and art. We were able to view art works by emerging and established Muslim artists.
We were also able to hear from Sheik Saeed Warsama – Iman at the Deer Park Mosque who spoke to us about helping children to link into their community via a mentoring program and community groups for young people. He also completed a question-and-answer session which provided information and insights into Islam Religion and Culture, to assist carers to better understand how to meet the needs of Muslim children coming into a foster care placement.
Within the museum is an enlarged game of chess as part of the museum and we discovered that although invented in India it was taken up by the Persians and then spread thru Muslim countries long before being picked up by European and English countries.
As we explored the Museum we gained an understanding of the pillars, morals and teachings underpinning Islamic faith which included quotes as above, videos and textiles.
Abdul Abdullah’s portrait of journalist Waleed Aly was shortlisted for the 2011 Archibald prize and proudly hangs in the gallery.
We also discovered this beautiful prayer mat and worry beads. The prayer mat represents a picture of Hajj, which in Islam is the pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime. The Hajj is the 5th of the fundamental Muslim practises knows as the Five Pillars of Islam.