Arafmi Ltd

06/06/2026

Last week Cheryl headed to Toowoomba, where a group of carers got creative making badges at the monthly Toowoomba Coffee Connect. It sounds simple. But that's kind of the point.

For carers in regional Queensland, knowing that support exists nearby and that there's a friendly face who shows up consistently can make a real difference. You might have spotted Cheryl out and about lately.

Cheryl has been popping up across regional Queensland, from Toowoomba to Kingaroy, Kilcoy, Gympie, Chinchilla and beyond, meeting carers where they are and letting them know support is closer than they might think.

This week she's at Farmfest. Last week, badges were being made in Toowoomba. Next stop, Kilcoy.

☕ Have you seen Cheryl around? Tag us or drop us a message.

05/06/2026

Carers' voices belong in conversations about mental health reform.

Arafmi was proud to represent mental health carers at the Queensland Mental Health Commission Leading Reform Summit (25-26 May).

🔹 Our CEO, Irene Clelland, was one of two MCs for the event, helping to keep carers and their experiences part of the conversation.

🔹 Our Lived Experience Advocacy Lead, Sue Goodwin, shared why carers should have a say in the services and systems that affect them.

🔹 Sue and Sasha Ong from our Policy and Advocacy team answered questions at the Arafmi stall and shared the realities of caring for someone with mental health challenges.

Reflecting on her second Leading Reform Summit, Sue noticed a positive shift.

"There is more discussion about the role of carers, more people mentioning carers and the impacts on them," she said.

Change takes time, but it's good to see carers becoming a bigger part of the conversation.

05/06/2026

💬 Mental health carers deserve to be heard.

The Queensland Government is reviewing the Carers (Recognition) Act, and this is your chance to have a say.

Complete the survey or attend a consultation session to help shape how carers are recognised, included and supported in the future.

The Queensland Government is reviewing the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008. Have your say and help shape how unpaid carers are recognised in the future.

05/06/2026

We don't take feedback like this for granted.

A carer who recently joined us through our monthly Craft and Connect recently shared this after their experience... Truly, it's the kind of thing that reminds us why this work matters.

If you've been thinking about reaching out, this might be the nudge you needed.

📞 1300 554 660

04/06/2026

There are still spots available in next week's Living Well Sessions and we really don't want you to miss out.

These aren't support groups. There's no agenda, no pressure to talk about your caring experience. Just a chance to properly switch off, be somewhere beautiful, and enjoy a few hours that are entirely yours.

Next week we have two sessions:
🌿 HELD - Tue 9 June
Nature Gathering & Creative Reflection Day
Northern Inner City Brisbane, Riverside

🌲 RECONNECT - Thu 11 June
Forest Grounding & Gentle Reconnection Day
Logan

Spots are limited and filling fast. Submit your EOI this week so we can find the right session for you. Register here: https://buff.ly/FxUxXZL

03/06/2026

Last month, Nerida and a group of carers swapped the everyday for an afternoon at the Moreton Bay Museum, taking in a fashion exhibition together.

Out and About is a monthly chance for carers to recharge, connect with others who get it, and experience something a little different together. A new experience every month. Always welcoming, never pressured.

May was fashion. Who knows what the rest of the year has in store!

What should we do next? Drop your ideas in the comments. 👇

03/06/2026

How do you keep going when everything feels uncertain?

This month, one carer shares her powerful story of supporting her child through serious mental health challenges — and the hope that helped her through.

Plus, the latest on NDIS changes, upcoming events and support for mental health carers across Queensland. 💚

Read the June newsletter now:https://buff.ly/fDdjXpZ
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://buff.ly/i4oRBeX

03/06/2026

More than two years after the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) Final Report was released, a new campaign from the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN) warns that not enough action has followed.

The DRC made 222 recommendations to help create a safer and more inclusive Australia for people with disability. But according to QIDAN, only 3% have been fully acted on so far, while more than half have not been started.

QIDAN is now calling for an online tracker, so communities can see what governments have promised, what action has been taken, and what still needs to change. Because the DRC still matters.

Get involved: https://buff.ly/snQE8Aw

02/06/2026

Carers, your voice is needed! 📢 The Queensland Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 is being reviewed, and this is a real opportunity to shape how carers are recognised, included and supported in decisions that affect them.

Arafmi is putting together a response, and we want it to reflect what carers are actually experiencing. The survey takes no more than 10 minutes. Answer as much or as little as you like — make yourself a cuppa, find a quiet moment, and tell us what you think.

Every perspective matters. ⏰ Survey closes Sunday 14 June.

👉 Speak up here: https://buff.ly/4xNBCyy

Know a carer who should have their say? Please share this post, the more voices we hear, the stronger our response.

02/06/2026

Arafmi had the privilege of attending Karakan's Belonging Begins With Us event last month.

There was a lot that stayed with us, but one moment in particular. During the CEO address, a simple statistic was shared: schizoaffective disorders affects 1 in every 100 people.

1 in 100. Think about that for a moment. It's not rare.

It's our neighbours, our family members, the people we pass every day. And yet the fear and misunderstanding that surrounds it can make those living with it, and the people who love and care for them, feel completely alone.

That gap between how common it is and how little it's understood, that's where stigma lives. And it has a real cost. For the person experiencing it, and for the carers quietly holding everything together beside them.

Belonging Begins With Us felt like exactly the right name for this conversation.
Thank you to Karakan for the space to reflect and connect.