Affinity Care WA

We’re excited to share that Affinity Care WA has added new vehicles to our fleet, helping us provide even better transport for our team and the participants we support.

Our growing fleet means greater reliability and flexibility for participant travel, community access, appointments and day-to-day supports across Perth.

And with more Affinity Care WA vehicles hitting the road, you’ll be seeing us around Perth a lot more often! 👋💙

Keep an eye out for the Affinity Care WA cars on the road! 🚙

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 | 𝟏𝟏–𝟏𝟕 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Behind a lot of the people we support is someone who never signed up for the job. A mum, a husband, a daughter, a neighbour, a friend. Over 3 million Australians give unpaid care to someone they love, and most of them do it quietly, around work, family and everything else life throws at them.

This National Carers Week, the theme is "Care for a carer: Making carers visible." So to every informal carer in Australia, thank you. What you do matters more than you probably get told.

And please look after yourself too. If you need support, there's help here in WA:

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐀
1300 227 377 or [email protected], carerswa.asn.au
Counselling, social support, retreats, young carer programs, support for working carers, and the WA Carer Card.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲
carergateway.gov.au
Free information, advice and online support for carers across Australia.

Carers WA is also holding its 2026 Conference on Thursday 8 October at Optus Stadium. Registrations have closed, but there are livestream hubs in Albany, Manjimup, Broome and Wongan Hills, and recordings will be shared afterwards: carerswa.asn.au/conference-2026

There are plenty of events around Perth this week too, including Cuppa in the Park at Kings Park on Sunday 11 October at 9:30am and a Carers Wellness Evening in Leederville on Monday 12 October at 5:30pm. Find more at carersweek.com.au/events and carerswa.asn.au/latest-news/events

How you can support a carer this week
✔ Check in regularly
✔ Offer a break
✔ Say thank you
✔ Ask what they need
✔ Encourage self-care

Events | Carers WA Events Calendar Jump MonthsCurrent Month januaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember 20242025202620272028 october, 2026Read more

This week, our team came together at head office for training on Medication Administration, Diabetes and Insulin Administration, Epilepsy Management, and Incident Reporting and Restrictive Practices.

Thank you to everyone who took part so enthusiastically and brought great energy to each session. A big shout-out to our Service Managers for planning such engaging activities that kept the sessions both fun and productive for our support workers.

A beautiful day starts with beautiful smiles 😊

Today, S and A shared a special gift exchange - showing off their creative talents with diamond art and handmade cards. But beyond the gifts, what shone through most was the genuine love and friendship they share as housemates.

We're so grateful to have S and A as part of our SIL community, and to be able to support such amazing people every day.

Moments like these remind us why we do what we do, and keep us motivated to keep providing the best care and support for the people we love working with. 💛

Not sure what the NDIS will and won't fund? You're not alone. 💜

The NDIA has a published guide on this that's been around for a while, but many participants and families still haven't seen it. There are more than 30 categories of supports the NDIS can fund and 15 broad categories it can't.

✅ Examples of what the NDIS CAN fund

- Help with daily personal activities and household tasks
- Support coordination and plan management
- Therapy and allied health supports for your disability
- Assistive technology like mobility, communication and vision equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Community participation and life skills development
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

❌ Examples of what the NDIS can't fund

- Rent, mortgage, groceries and utility bills
- Standard furniture, appliances, phones, tablets and internet
- Holidays, airfares, petrol and buying a vehicle
- Gym memberships, event tickets and pets (other than assistance animals)
- Medical and hospital treatment, which sit with the health system
- School fees, tuition and childcare
- Non-evidence-based therapies like reiki or crystal therapy

💡 A helpful tip: it often comes down to whether something is a standard everyday living cost or a disability-related support. A standard item usually isn't funded, but a modified or adaptive version that meets your disability needs may be.

Before you spend your funding, check the full lists and talk with your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager or planner. It can save a lot of stress later.

👉 Read the full guide here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-funding/understanding-your-ndis-funding/what-are-ndis-supports

Please share this with someone who might find it useful.

What are NDIS supports | NDIS They are services, items and equipment the NDIS can fund.

Soaking up the sunshine and smashing goals☀️

Our wonderful participant, W, had a perfect Friday morning at Rockingham Jetty today with his support worker.

The day started at home with W preparing breakfast before heading out to make the most of the beautiful Perth weather. Together, they walked the jetty, took in the coastal views, and even scoped out the best spots for a future fishing trip! The perfect day continued with exploring the beachfront shops and ticking off plenty of steps toward W's daily fitness goals.

Independent living skills, community connection, and great times all in one day.

Well done W ✌️

Our beach wheelchair program is back this October! ♿

The Sandcruiser beach wheelchair will once again be available for free hire at Quinns Beach, helping people with mobility challenges enjoy easier access to the sand and coastline.

Thank you to our supporters and partners Surf Life Saving WA and Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club for helping to provide this valuable service.

Find out more: wanneroo.wa.gov.au/beachwheelchairs

Seen a bigger smile than this?! 😄

C is all smiles enjoying a fun game of Uno with one of our amazing support workers, right at home in her SIL. By the look on her face, she's either winning or about to drop a Draw 4 on someone. 😂

This is what a good day looks like!

💛 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐑 𝐔 𝐎𝐊? 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

We spend our days checking in on the people we support but today's a good reminder that everyone around us could probably use the same. Our colleagues. Our families. The mate who always seems "fine." You never really know what someone's carrying.

You don't need the perfect thing to say. Just ask, then actually listen.

It is all about learning how to ask, listening, encouraging action and checking in: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

A conversation could be the difference for someone. So ask the question, and mean it.

How to ask "Are you OK?" | R U OK? R U OK? is a su***de prevention charity encouraging Australians to start life-changing conversations, when they're needed most. Four simple steps guide you to ask "Are you OK?", and help someone in need safely and comfortably. A conversation can change a life.