Summit to focus on supporting ACT’s carers

A major Summit exploring ways to assist the ACT's many carers will be held early next year, ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch announced today.

The ACT Government is working with CarersACT to hold a summit involving representatives from the caring and community sectorand Government representatives.

"Carers are essential to the lives of many people, with around 35,000 carers in the ACT alone," Ms Burch said.

"It is hard to imagine the dedication required to be a carer, looking after people with complex needs, but as a community we can ensure they get as much help as possible."

The Carers Summit will explore options and opportunities that build on housing, tenancy and support options available to people with a disability in the ACT, including the needs of people who have a mental illness and dual disability.

"I want to see tangible outcomes from this forum so that our carers know that their community is working to better support them."

Today's announcement follows on from the launch of the ACT Carers Charter last month which provided formal recognition for the work that carers undertake on a daily basis, much of which goes unnoticed.

"Through consultation on the Charter and strategies such as Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014 for the disability sector we have a good idea of the needs of carers, which will help us reach outcomes at this forum.

"I look forward to the involvement of all those involved in the caring sector at this forum and am hopeful that it will produce real results for carers."

Ms Burch said CarersACT would be advising details of the summit in the near future.