Carers SA - Seaton, South Australia

Emerald S.

Carers SA supported us with a once off $650 Prezzee gift card which I used to supply our new home with much needed additions. The staff are understanding and generally empathetic in regards to carers like myself who care for someone with mental health issues and emotionally challenging behaviours. Their support always comes at the most crucial times. Thank you Carers SA for providing vital funds and assistance for carers and their loved ones.

Melissa S.

When I contacted Carers Gateway following my mother’s fall and shoulder fracture, I was told it would take two weeks before anyone could contact me. In crisis, two weeks is unacceptable. When I finally received a call, what I was met with was not practical support—but platitudes. I was told I was doing a great job. I was encouraged to take more action. I was sent a list of bed suppliers.

Action plans are not care. Handing carers more responsibility when they are already stretched beyond capacity is not support. And sending a resource list is not the same as providing help.

I have been the primary carer for my mother, father, and grandmother for seven years. I contacted Carers SA in a moment of need—not to be congratulated, and certainly not to be given more to do. For those of us who are high-functioning, high-masking autistic adults, the constant expectation to overfunction because no one else will step in is not only exhausting—it’s unsustainable.

With the amount of government funding directed to your organisation, I expected more than a conversation and a PDF. I expected action. Instead, I was reminded why I avoided your services in the first place.

Klarisa M.

Burnt out carers go on burrrrnin!

Extra staff training seriously required and monitoring staff with work appraisals needed.
system changes, perhaps a really good squeeze of ol' fashion empathy...
phone calls need to be monitored so improvements can be made and delivered.

Staff:
Think Little Britain and the computer says no.

Overall approach:
Wants to look like Prada but functioning as broken ANKO alone on a deserted shelf.

Alison T.

Very Appalling Service in a Family Crisis with my Disabled Son with very high critical needs when all his other support services were unavailable due to christmas break. Ignorant, Lacked Empathy and caused more Trauma and Triggers when all I was needing was some emotional and supportive help.

David

I've been registered. But I rang the other day to organise counseling and they never got back to me. Was waiting all day. Nothing. Eventually got onto Carer Gateway, who I think is the national body, to organise counselling.

I asked about support groups several months ago and was mailed out brochures with dates and no times. It wasn't until I eventually told the lady that it's hard to attend a support group without a time, that John finally got back to me with. Nice guy, very supportive.

However the support groups attendees at Bower Cottage were some of the most discriminating people towards those with mental health concerns I've come across in a long time. Very righteous people who had no concerns for others besides their own "clique". It was painfully obvious I simply wasn't wanted there. One of the common lines that counsellors use to help struggling people find their way back in life was the need to "find your tribe", meaning to find a group where you fit in. And there yesterday I sat whilst they mocked this same cliche feeling really proud of themselves. Quite pathetic. As a result, this is definitely not a "tribe" I will be attending ever again. It ended up being more damaging to my mental health than helpful.

Yoriz Z.

Do sweet FA except take 8 weeks to respond to enquiries, ( hint: the response is not worth the wait) and send out invites to stupid parties once a year. Our money on the bonfire.

Kelly S.

The help this organisation can provide is amazing and very much appreciated.
The only thing that needs looking at is the way reimbursements are dealt with. I had struggled to fill forms and send back with my laptop not coping and my phone unable to use the forms as required.
Other than this, the people and connections they have is awesome.
Wonderful organisation
❤

Billie S.

A lot of money wasted!
Too many people who don’t call back. Don’t follow through nor treat you as an individual. Getting the service you need is not easy nor worth the hassle