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Ongoing support

Informal support

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I was actually a little nervous to meet the group today but within minutes, everyone made me feel so welcome. A couple of other grandparents had brought their little ones with them too, so Lewis was happy.

 

I spent the first part of the get-together just listening to the others talk about their situations. When I shared my own with them, they were so sympathetic. Better than that, they offered me some great advice. I was so grateful. What do all of those grandparent carers do who aren’t connected to groups like this?

 

After listening to the others in the group, it sounds like there are going to be things I have control over and other things outside of my control. I hope the government will address those issues for the sake of us and our grandkids.

Seniors

A strong theme through many of the stories related to the importance of the social realm.

 

Stories of isolation, loneliness and the absence of positive social support, from family, friends and neighbours were linked to reduced mental health. 

Toys

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Financial issues

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Find out more about
  • story3-s5A

  • Food

A few weeks into caring for her grandchildren, Carol is feeling overwhelmed both emotionally and financially. Her relationship with her daughter is volatile and so far, she has not received any financial support, either from her daughter or from more formal sources.

 

Financially, things are heading towards rock-bottom, and Carol is forced to make some difficult choices.

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  • story3-s5B

  • Debt

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Financial issues

Food

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I lost my job today. I have used up all of my leave entitlement and my boss told me she can’t wait any longer. The children and I have been getting by until now but without a salary, I just won’t have enough money to cover all of our basic needs.

Boss

Understand the stats

85%

of families do not have access to $500 in an emergency

With regards to employment, families reported significant barriers when trying to to get and keep a job (or just increase hours of employment):
- Illness or disabilty (46%),
- Discrimination (age, race etc), (29%),
- Perception they had wrong or not enough qualifications (28%),
- Child care responsibilies (17%)
Empty wallet

Understand the stats

75%

of families do not receive a wage/salary based income

Many barriers exisit to enployment (or increasing hours of work) including; illness or disabilty (46%), discrimination (age, race etc), (29%), perception they had wrong or not enough qualifications (28%), and child care responsibilies (17%)

For families who were on Jobseeker, most (82%) had at least one chronic health condition and at least one mental health condition (76%)

Early today I drove to a charity that over the phone said they could help me with food. I feel so ashamed to ask but, well I have no choice. We have to eat. I didn’t take the children with me as I want to protect them from all this.

 

When I arrived, they gave me a food parcel no questions asked. The people were friendly and it was a nice chance to just connect to others. The food was okay quality and enough to get us through the week if I cut my portion sizes down. I am grateful but I felt so low to have to go there. I didn’t get to choose what I wanted.

 

I leave with my head down and drive back to the house ready to put on a brave face.

Staff

Adults have lower food security than children, who potentially are sacrificing food and going hungry in order to feed their children.

58% of adults experienced hunger and did not eat because there wasn’t enough money for food.

27% of families saying they needed to reduce portion sizes to make food last longer.

Food emergency relief was the most commonly accessed service by families at 72%.

This is not surprising considering only 7% of families reported high food security with 80% of adults having low food security (this is compared to 58% for children)

Boss

Understand the stats

85%

of families do not have access to $500 in an emergency

With regards to employment, families reported significant barriers when trying to to get and keep a job (or just increase hours of employment):
- Illness or disabilty (46%),
- Discrimination (age, race etc), (29%),
- Perception they had wrong or not enough qualifications (28%),
- Child care responsibilies (17%)
Empty wallet

Understand the stats

75%

of families do not receive a wage/salary based income

Many barriers exisit to enployment (or increasing hours of work) including; illness or disabilty (46%), discrimination (age, race etc), (29%), perception they had wrong or not enough qualifications (28%), and child care responsibilies (17%)

For families who were on Jobseeker, most (82%) had at least one chronic health condition and at least one mental health condition (76%)
Staff

Adults have lower food security than children, who potentially are sacrificing food and going hungry in order to feed their children.

58% of adults experienced hunger and did not eat because there wasn’t enough money for food.

27% of families saying they needed to reduce portion sizes to make food last longer.

Food emergency relief was the most commonly accessed service by families at 72%.

This is not surprising considering only 7% of families reported high food security with 80% of adults having low food security (this is compared to 58% for children)

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End of story

Thank you for exploring
Carol’s journey

Scroll down if you want to make an impact

Calls to Action

Families repeatedly asked us before, during and after their engagement; ‘how will my information be used to make a difference? It is through this lens and in the context of your own influence and responsibility that these calls to action should be viewed.

Support people to identify and achieve their life goals – their way

Families are intimately familiar with their own circumstances and needs and hold valuable perspectives about what approaches would work for themselves and their communities.

Elevate the role and amplify the voice of people experiencing disadvantage

Families consistently reported that they often don’t feel seen or heard in policy or practice settings and would like to add their voices and lived experience in designing, implementing and evaluating policies, programs and social change that impacts them.

Ensure every Australian has access to adequate income to meet their basic needs

The 100 Families WA evidence demonstrates the positive benefits that the Coronavirus Supplement had on family members, which ultimately supported them to live with a greater dignity.

Build and strengthen local community networks and supports

Families draw on their relationships with family, friends, neighbours and community networks when available, for both practical assistance and emotional support to meet a variety of needs.

Challenge stigma and create a safe, supportive environment for people

Family members continue to experience stigma and discrimination at individual, community, service and societal levels. Safe, supportive environments can help reduce people’s experiences of stigma and discrimination.

Make it easy as possible for people to access support when they need it

Family members reported a range of personal, organisational and systemic barriers to accessing formal and informal supports. Reducing these barriers can reduce the financial, emotional and time costs for families who are currently navigating multiple formal supports.

Prioritise and develop trusted and enduring relationships

Families’ positive experiences of seeking support depends on being genuinely listened to and supported with care and understanding of their individual circumstances.

Invest in prevention and early supports

Policies, services and community-based programs focused on prevention and early support, in addition to crisis services, can help support people to solve issues before problems escalate.

Recognise the value of caring roles and other contributions to society

Recognising, valuing and supporting the multiple ways that family members contribute to their families and society can create social and economic benefits and reduce inequality

Reflection

Informed by what you have learned, please answer the below question. Your comments are made anonymously and will not be attributed back to you.

Learning

Interested in continueing your 100 Families journey? Stay connected to 100 Families WA by adding your details below (only quarterly contact will be made via newsletters and project opportunities).

Click on the links below to download key resources to help you on your learning journey.

Download the Full report
Download the Summary Report
Download the Lived Experience Framework
To access further 100 Families WA resources, click here
To access other helpful resources, like the WACOSS Advocacy Toolkit, Outcomes Framework and more, click here
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contact us on 100familieswa@wacoss.org.au

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Background

Carol is a 60 years old grandma whose husband passed away. She lives alone and helps her daughter to take care of her kids since she is struggling with mental health and drug addiction.
Vision/goals

I want my daughter and my grandchildren to be happy and healthy. I would love Sarah to get back on her feet so she can go back to being mum and I can go back to being grandma.

Background

Carol is a 60 years old grandma whose husband passed away. She lives alone and helps her daughter to take care of her kids since she is struggling with mental health and drug addiction.

Vision/goals

I want my daughter and my grandchildren to be happy and healthy. I would love Sarah to get back on her feet so she can go back to being mum and I can go back to being grandma.