Upcoming Carer Training: Supporting Children & Carers
Date: Wednesday 29th of October
Time: 9.30am – 1pm
This month’s carer training has been shaped directly by your feedback in the Carer Voice survey. Many of you expressed a desire for deeper insight into caring for children including children with additional needs, as well as guidance on supporting the whole family unit, including yourselves.
In response, we’re thrilled to welcome two Tracks Health professionals for a dynamic session:
- Tyler Luttrell, Behaviour Specialist, will lead the first session with practical, evidence-based strategies caring for children in foster care, and managing challenging behaviours. Expect tools like skill building, routine structuring, and token economies to help create a more engaging and enjoyable daily life for young people.
- Megan Spencer, Senior Psychologist with over 14 years of experience in trauma-informed care, will guide the second session. She’ll share nervous system-informed self-care strategies to help carers maintain wellbeing while supporting others.
This is a training not to be missed—rich in insight, full of heart, and served with delicious food and great company. Join us to connect, learn, and leave feeling empowered.
Update on Dr Ian McCracken’s training
Dr Ian McCracken’s training on common mental health issues experienced by children from trauma backgrounds will not be available to watch online. Sadly, the recorded material is of poor quality and not clear enough to be used as training material.
Summer swimming bargains 🐠
The new swimming season begins on Saturday 27 September with cheaper entry for selected pools within Newcastle.
City of Newcastle will launch a trial of reduced entry fees for all visitors at four of its five inland pools when the new swimming season begins on Saturday.
Councillors voted in June to endorse the $2 trial at Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend pools for the 2025/26 swimming season, a proposal supported by 95% of respondents who took part in community consultation.
Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend pools reopen just in time for the school holidays on Saturday 27 September while Lambton Pool opened on 25 August 2025.
Get pumped! 🚲
Take the kids to a pump track and get them to burn off some energy. Here’s a list of pump tracks in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region. For those unfamiliar with the concept of a pump track, it’s a circuit of rollers, banked turns and jumps that can be ridden on a bike without much pedalling. Riders create momentum to ride around the track by moving, or ‘pumping’, their body up and down.
Are you looking for something fun to do in the spring school holidays? 🎢
We have scheduled 3 public sessions for our giant Aquatic Challengers at Lake Mac Swim Centres during the October school holidays!
Featuring large, grassed picnic spots and BBQs the pool is a perfect location for a family day out. On-site kiosks offer food and drinks to keep you refreshed, and a team of lifeguards and instructors are always present, ensuring a safe and entertaining haven for little ones.
Cost:
- $6.30 per child
- $13 family rate (applies to dependent children under the age of 16 years for our pool floats).
- The Aquatic Challenger public session fee is in addition to the general entry fees (including a spectator fee for non-swimmers).
Location, date and times:
- Charlestown Swim Centre: Tuesday 7 October | 12pm and 2pm
- Swansea Swim Centre: Wednesday 8 October | 12pm and 2pm
- Speers Point Swim Centre: Friday 10 October | 12pm and 2pm
Children must be aged between 6 and 16 years. They must be able to swim 15 metres unaided. No flotation devices can be used in the swim test or on the equipment.
Training Calendar October
October 22nd 11am to 12pm | ONLINE: Catch Up for a Cuppa with Carers
This session will be an open platform guided by a carer support team member, who will be there to answer your questions and provide resources to support you.
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October 28th & 30th 10am to 12pm | October 28th 7pm to 9pm
ONLINE: Increasing Mental Health and Safety of Young People at Risk of Suicide
In 2023, Australia recorded 3,214 deaths by suicide—an average of nine lives lost every day. Suicide is the leading cause of premature death in our nation, with young people particularly at risk. Disturbingly, Indigenous Australians experience suicide rates nearly three times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.
As carers you can make a profound difference. This webinar is designed to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and equip you with the skills to respond compassionately and effectively to young people experiencing suicidal thoughts. What We Will Cover:
- Defining Suicide
- Understanding Young People’s Vulnerability.
- Recognising Warning Signs
- Risk and Protective Factors
- Myths vs Facts.
- Responding with Care.
All sessions will need to be registered for. Go to Training opportunities for carers - Carers for Kids NSW if you would like to participate in any of these sessions.
