Tandem works with a number of carer support groups in the Melbourne metro region. Some have been established for many years, and others are always starting up. To add a group to the list, or to make an inquiry, contact Tandem.

Across Victoria (currently online)

SHARC Family Support Groups
Support for family and friends affected by someone’s drinking, drug use or gambling. Groups meet regularly (monthly or fortnightly) and have an educational component.

When: See the list of groups on the SHARC website.
Enquiries: Contact the SHARC Helpline on 1300 660 068.

Pathways for Carers Program
Monthly walking groups across regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne for family and friends of people with mental health concerns or a disability. Led by carers for carers and set in a natural setting,  free monthly walks give walkers the opportunity to connect with like-minded folk for some much needed fresh air and movement. These walking events are followed by an informative presentation from a guest speaker and a complimentary morning tea.
See the Pathway for Carers website for details on event times and locations.
Enquiries: Phone 0447 440 035 or email [email protected]

Online

Butterfly Foundation Carer Support Groups
Get help with self-care while supporting a friend or family member with an eating disorder. Events are held via Zoom and anyone over age 18 from anywhere in Australia is welcome to attend.
When: Every second Monday. Dates in 2023 run from Monday January 9 to Monday December 11.
Time: 6–7:30pm
Enquiries: Find out more and register via the Butterfly Foundation website.

Rainbow Crew

Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community and an unpaid carer? Carers in the LGBTQIA+ community have unique challenges and can benefit from connections with other LGBTQIA+ carers. The Rainbow Crew will be a safe space for carers who identify as LGBTQIA+. Connect with other LGBTQIA+ carers in the Victoria region. Attend events with other LGBTQIA+ carers. Talk, learn, share and collaborate. Make new friends. The group meets monthly for informal chat sessions on the last Friday of each month. 

Call 9076 6644 or email [email protected]

 Merri Health | Rainbow Crew

rALLY Support Group
Register via Eventbrite. The sessions will be run via Zoom until further notice. The link will be sent to you after registration.
Monthly group for families and support people run by Eating Disorders Victoria. The Rally Group is designed to educate and support families and support people who are playing an active role in recovery someone with an eating disorder. 
When: Third Tuesday of every month
Time: 7–8:30pm
Enquiries: Contact Eating Disorders Victoria at [email protected] or 03 9994 0354

strive Carer Support Group
Monthly support group for members of Eating Disorders Families Australia.
When: Second Wednesday of every month
Time: 7:30–9pm
Find out more: Visit the Eating Disorders Families Australia website.

Abbotsford

Borderline Personality Disorder Family & Carer Group
Mind Centre for mental Health and Wellbeing, Ground floor, Collingwood Football Community Centre, 8 Lulie Street, Abbotsford
Open support and information group for carers of people with BPD.
When: First Wednesday of the month
Time: 7–9pm
Enquiries: 1300 554 660

Altona

Westgate Carers Support Group Inc
A group for carers living in the western region of Melbourne. No current venue at present.
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 1.30–3.30pm
Enquiries: 03 9398 5036 or aljo[email protected]

Avondale Heights

Family & Friends of a Person with a Mental Illness
Open age peer support, education, and respite.
Meet at different cafes in the area.
When: 2nd Thursday of the month
Time: 6.00 – 7.30pm
Enquiries: Carole Breese on 0411 720 268 or [email protected]

Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows Mental Health Carer Support Group
Broadmeadows Health Service, 35 Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows (PAG Room)
An opportunity for family and friends to meet, share and learn from each other about caring for someone who has mental health issues.
When: Third Thursday of the month -Closed due to COVID - ZOOM meetings
Time: 7–9pm
Enquiries: Jo Tracey 03 8345 5611 or Fabiha Khan 03 9365 9500
[email protected]

Hume Mental Health Carers Coffee Morning Group
Bookmark 3047 Cafe, Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows (opposite Broadmeadows Shopping Centre)
When: First Thursday of the month
Time: 10.30am–12pm
Enquiries: Jo Tracey 03 8345 5611 or Fabiha Khan 03 9365 9500

Caulfield South

Grow Better Together Carer Support Group
Blackburn - Easterm Grown Carers
Grow Better Together encourages and supports caregivers of people experiencing mental illness. It utilises the same key elements of the Grow Program encouraging carers to further develop their own personal resources, friendships and supports to overcome barriers they experience as part of their caring role.
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month - On hold due to COVID
Time: 7pm
Enquiries: Julie-Anne Dooley 9528 2977 or [email protected]

Forensicare Family & Friends
Thomas Embling Hospital, Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
When: Second Friday of the month
Enquiries: 9495 9164 or [email protected]

Coburg

Coburg North West Area Carer Support Group
Coburg North West Area Mental Health Services, 130 Bell Street, Coburg 3058
A monthly group for family and friends of people experiencing mental health issues
Enquiries: Rebecca Martindale on 03 9355 9741 or [email protected]

Ferntree Gully

Ferntree Gully Family Support Group
Ferntree Gully Uniting Church, 6 The Avenue, Ferntree Gully
A support group for carers and friends of people with mental health challenges. Mutual support, self-help and education provided through speakers and a library of books, cassettes and videos.
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 7.45pm
Enquiries: Barb Edwards 03 9726 5694

Outer Eastern BPD Carers Support Group
Coonara Community House - 22 Willow Road, Upper Ferntree Gully
Learn through the experience of others, sharing ideas, gaining insight into the disorder and meeting with experienced Carer Peers.
When: Every third Monday of the Month
Time: 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Enquiries: David Neef at Eastern Health on 0408 981 206 or [email protected]

Flemington

Melbourne Eating Disorders Parent Support Group
Flemington Neighbourhood House, 28 Farnham Street, Flemington
When: 2nd Wednesday of the month
Time: 8pm to 9.30pm
This group welcomes anyone over 18 who is caring for someone with an eating disorder. Gold coin donation for coffee, tea and room hire. More

Greenborough

Mind Family and Carer Support Group
Watermark, Greenborough
Open support group for carers of a person struggling with mental ill-health issues. Carers to discuss the day-to-day- issues of caring, and seek solutions through mutual support.
When: First Thursday of each month, commencing January 2021.
Time: 1–4pm
Enquiries: 1300 554 660

Hoppers Crossing

The Family / Carer Peer Support Group
Clare Moore Building (Werribee Mercy Psychiatric Inpatient Unit), Princes Highway, Hoppers Crossing
When: Third Wednesday each month
Time: 6–8pm
Enquiries: Helen on 9928 7444 or [email protected]

Nunawading

Grow Better Together Carer Support Group
Open support group for carers of someone with mental health issues to discuss the day-to-day issues of caring, and seek solutions through mutual support.
Mind Australia, upstairs at 353 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 7–9pm
Enquiries: Julie-Anne Dooley 9528 2977 or [email protected]

Port Melbourne

Mind Australia Inner South Family and Carer Support Group
86 St. Vincent Place, Albert Park
When: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 6.30–8.30pm
RSVP: Monday to Friday 9.00am–4.45pm
Enquiries: 1300 286 463

Preston

Vietnamese Mental Health Self-Help Support Group
ADEC, 175 Plenty Road Preston VIC 3072
For people from a Vietnamese background who are caring for significant person in their life with mental health challenges and who live in North and West suburbs of Melbourne.

When: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: Varies
Enquiries: Shemiran on 03 9480 7000 or [email protected]

Ringwood 

Villa Maria Partner Support group

 62 Railway Ave, Ringwood East

Peer support group for carers of partners with a mental illness. Includes occasional funded day respite trips and guest speakers. Come and have a free cup of coffee and chat with others in a similar situation.
When: The first Saturday of the month 
Time: 1–3pm
Enquiries: David 0408 981 206 or [email protected]

Rosanna

BPD Family & Carers Group
Level 2, 76/80 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna
Enquiries: Contact Neha Verma on 1300 554 660 or [email protected]

Carers Social Group - Rosanna Fire Station Community House
Rosanna Fire Station Community House, 232 Lower Plenty Road, Watsonia 3087
An opportunity to connect with other carers and family members in the Rosanna community. Gold coin donation appreciated.
When: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month, starting February 14 2023.
Time: 9:30am-10:30am
Enquiries: Contact Julie Murphy on 03 9458 1935

South Melbourne

The BPD Community Family & Friends Group
Star Health South Melbourne - 341 Coventry St, South Melbourne
The Family & Friends Group has developed a Manual to guide its operations, developing its own model to complement existing supports and training programs. Their model of support is peer led, informed by ongoing monitoring and evaluation. It exists to support family members, encourage learning about BPD and all it encompasses, focuses on developing the techniques that work to improve relationships, especially with the person with BPD. More

When: Every third Tuesday of the month
Time: 6.30-9 pm
Enquires: Barb 0409 952 754 or [email protected]

Watsonia

Banyule Carer Support Group
Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourn Rd, Watsonia 3087
Share ideas, have a laugh, find out about supports and services. The group is a safe, welcoming space for family, friends and carers to enjoy a break and have a chance to chat with other carers over lunch. We will alternate between having a guest speaker and someone running a ‘wellbeing’ activity (eg gentle stretches, tai chi, meditation - suggestions welcome). We will also have some outings during the year. You are welcome to join the group even if you can’t make it along every month
When: First Thursday of the month, starting February 2 2023.
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Enquiries: Call 03 9422 8396 or email [email protected]

Windsor

Inner South Family and Friends ispaf.org
4th Floor, Spotless Building, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004
A free meeting provided by Inner South Family and Friends.
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 7.30–9.30pm
Enquiries: Judi Burstyner 9076 4713 or [email protected]