May brought a number of outreach opportunities for financial counsellors via FCVic’s special projects work.
On May 23rd, Mel Keenan, accompanied by Carlos Poveda, senior financial counsellor from Anglicare Victoria, attended the Western Carers Information Session organised by Carers Victoria. Held at the Taylors Lakes Hotel, the event brought together 70 carers living in the western suburbs of Melbourne for a morning of connection, chatting and refreshments. The event was also an opportunity to raise carer attendees’ awareness of local services that may be of assistance for them.
FCVic was one of 10 support services attending the event. Our stand provided attendees with an opportunity to see and collect many of the resources that our special projects team have been developing as part of our two carers projects. These resources include our Carer Connect and Build Your Financial Capability factsheets, and a factsheet about the warm referral Carer Pathway to financial counselling. We were also able to showcase some of the work we have been developing with Little Dreamers, including our Julie and the Debt Monster blog series.
Carlos, who works locally from Anglicare’s western suburbs offices, provided a wise and friendly financial counsellor presence at the event. He delivered a short presentation to the group, explaining the kind of help that financial counsellors offer, and answered attendees’ questions during a Q&A. Questions included queries about the ATO, Centrelink, and the Utility Relief Grant Scheme, amongst other issues.
We were happy to see so many attendees engaging in discussions about financial counselling with Carlos and Mel, and also pleased that our printed resources were being taken home. Thanks to Carers Victoria for organising the event – and for the yummy scones!
In addition to the Carers Victoria event, we have also been building a relationship between Pathways for Carers and the financial counselling sector. Pathways for Carers is a Victorian Government-funded program that schedules monthly walks for carers, providing participants with an opportunity to socialise and connect with nature as well as learn more about news, services, and support available to them.
Duong Lieu, a financial counsellor at the Salvation Army Sunshine, attended a Pathway for Carers walk in Brimbank Park, Keilor East on May 26th. Duong used the opportunity to chat to the 11 attending carers, answering their money questions and making a short presentation. Most importantly, he provided a friendly and compassionate face for the carers’ local financial counselling agency.
The feedback arising from this event was phenomenal – carers praised Duong’s “fantastic” knowledge and guidance, and said his presentation was “incredibly empowering”. Perhaps best of all, Duong’s attendance at the walk has established a connection between the local agency and the attending carers – in the words of Jennifer from Pathways for Carers: “we look forward to staying connected and exploring potential collaborations […] where we can benefit from your expertise and guidance”.
Well done Carlos, Mel and Duong!