The yarning fills the room and the kettle is constantly on the boil as more people are dropping into the Frontier Services Roebourne Community Wellness Centre, a service which provides respite to carers across the Roebourne Shire in the Pilbara.

The centre is a space where carers of people with a mental illness or intellectual disability, and also the people receiving the care, can take time out in a supportive environment.

Recently, a community BBQ at the centre brought together a number of the male carers along with their wives and partners. Staff from the Pilbara Mental Health Mobile Respite Service, which works closely with the Wellness Centre, also came along with some of
their clients.

Staff and clients gather at the Roebourne Community Wellness Centre for a BBQ recently.

Centre Coordinator Elaine Jolliffe said it was an opportunity to welcome people from the Roebourne community to the centre and let them know about the services provided.

“We are trying to make the centre more inviting and comfortable – so it feels like a home and a space that people can come to chill out for a couple of hours,” she said.

Last year the centre was repainted and this year more furniture and equipment has arrived. A respite day room is provided for carers of all ages to participate in group activities or have a cuppa on their own, giving them the opportunity to take a break from their carer roles.

Two new staff members have also joined the service, Community Support Workers Laura Gregory and Glen Toby. Glen is from Roebourne and has already helped the service form connections in the community, particularly with male carers.

As well as centre based respite, carers are also assisted to taking time out to shop, attend appointments and do those things that are often difficult when you are caring for someone full time.

This month, the service organised a ‘Carers’ Break’ in Broome. The carers, accompanied by Frontier Services staff, were treated to five days in Broome which included shopping, fishing, and a cruise. A second Carer’s Break was organised by the Pilbara Mental Health Mobile Respite Service.

The Roebourne Community Wellness Centre extends from Roebourne to Wickham, Karratha, Point Samson, and works extensively with Indigenous communities and families in the region.