Carers Week: Sharing experiences to help others

When Colleen Reynolds' daughter Emily was a toddler there was little in the way of support for children with disability in Mansfield.

Fast forward more than 30 years later and the group she co-founded for carers and people with disability is still up and running, sharing valuable knowledge and understanding.

The Mansfield Support Group for Carers and People with Special Needs meets for monthly coffee mornings and round-table discussions.

Colleen, who is currently the group’s president, said a lot had changed since the early days but the need to connect with other carers and share experiences was still strong.

“I was a founding member when (my daughter) Emily was 12 months old, she’s now 38,” she said.

“We set up the group years and years ago for children with special needs, but those children have now become adults and we welcome all carers and people with disability, to come along.”

The group campaigned for early intervention support services in Mansfield and have since been involved with numerous accessibility and inclusion workshops.

For Colleen, a carer for both her late husband and Emily who has an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, being able to connect with others was crucial.

“The group is also about giving carers some time out with a group who really understand what it’s all about,” she said.

Emily receives disability support from InLife’s regional team led by Mandy Whitechurch.

• National Carers Week aims to recognise and celebrate carers across Australia from 13-19 October 2024. Find out more: carersweek.com.au