Choirs for Carers – Launching In Victoria Feb 2026
Proudly supported by Carers Victoria and the Victorian Government
Choirs For Carers is a project run by Creativity Australia supporting Victorian based carers through the power of music, mindfulness, and peer connection. This program offers a safe, inclusive space for carers to take a break, recharge, and share experiences with others who understand their challenges.
Running from Feb-June 2026 for our Victorian With One Voice choirs, Choirs for Carers is all about inviting new carers into the program and celebrating and supporting existing (unpaid or family) carers in our choirs. It will include free attendance at one of our 13 Victorian choirs and a calendar of both online and in person facilitated peer support discussions.
This project is made possible with support from The Victorian State Government and Carers Vic.
What’s included?
The Program will include the following;
- Free attendance at any of our 13 Victorian With One Voice Choirs
Fully subsidised attendance at our With One Voice choirs in Victoria until 30 June 2026 - In-person peer support circles at our choir rehearsals
Facilitated sessions for conversation, sharing coping strategies, exchanging resources, and building meaningful social connections. - Online Facilitated Peer Support Group sessions
Join carers from across Victoria to engage, share, and stay connected throughout the program. - Casual Carer led gatherings
To support further connections in community for carers in the program
Term 1 Calendar
Program Launch
- Tuesday 24 February 12:00-1:00pm Online
- Thursday 26 February 10:30am-12:00pm at 479 St Kilda Road Melbourne including Morning Tea and a Sing!
Term 1 Peer Support Groups
- Ashburton WOV on Tuesday March 3rd
Choir 6:15 – 7:30pm Peer Support Session 7:30-8:30pm
- St Kilda WOV on Monday March 16th
Choir 6:15 – 7:45pm Peer Support Session 7:45-8:45pm
- Sunbury WOV on Tuesday March 17th
Choir 6:30-7:30pm Peer Support Session 7:30-8:30pm
- ONLINE SESSION: Friday March 20th 12:00-1:00pm
- Whitehorse WOV on Tuesday March 24th
Peer Support Session 6-7pm Choir 7:15-8:30pm
- Hobsons Bay WOV on Friday March 27th
Choir 1:30-2:30pm Peer Support Session 2:30 – 3:30pm
- ONLINE SESSION: Monday March 30th 7:30pm-8:30pm
- Wyndham WOV on Tuesday March 31st
Peer Support Session 5:45-6:45pm Choir 7-8:30pm
Please RSVP via the form below.
Register your interest
Please tell us a little about yourself and how we can support you to access the program. All information will be kept private and we’ll be in touch with more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us at 03 8679 6088 or withonevoice@creativityaustralia.org.au if you have more questions about the Choirs for Carers program.
Who is eligible for this program?
This program is specifically for Unpaid Carers. Unpaid carers might be someone caring for their partner, parent, child or other friend or family member with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or older person with care needs. If this sounds like you then please join Choirs For Carers.
Can paid Disability Support workers attend the program?
Unfortunately not. This is not a program for professional paid support workers, but unpaid carers. While they are valuable members of our choirs, communities and families and often go above and beyond for their clients, our funding is limited to unpaid carers in our community. We encourage paid carers to reach out to their own professional support networks.
Can I bring the person I care for to the peer support discussion sessions?
No. Our peer support discussions are for Carers only so that participants feel safe to discuss their lives openly. While you are very welcome to bring the person you care for to choir at all other rehearsals when the peer support session is not scheduled, they cannot attend a discussion session.
I am already attending a WOV Choir, can I get free membership during the program?
Yes you can, if you register for the Choirs for Carers program, we will transfer your membership over for the duration of the program. If you currently make cash contributions or you have set-up your own direct debit please pause it until the end of June 2026! If you pay using your NDIS funding, we do ask that you continue to do so, as we don’t want to risk disruption to your plan funding for choir and want to ensure it continues beyond June.
What will happen in the peer support group sessions?
The peer support sessions will happen either before or after a regular choir rehearsal or online at a separate time. The sessions will be facilitated by an experienced facilitator and will be an opportunity to share why being a part of a choir is important for you, the joys and challenges of being a carer, an opportunity to share wellbeing strategies as well as available Carers Vic resources.
Can I skip choir rehearsals, and just attend peer support discussions?
This program is designed to encourage carers to experience the therapeutic experience of singing in a choir. If a stand alone carer support group is what you are looking for then there are plenty happening around the State. Check out Carers Vic’s list here.
Can I just come to choir as normal and not the peer support sessions?
This program is designed and funded so that not only to connect carers with our choirs, but also to their local network of carers. We do kindly ask that you only sign up to the program if you intend on attending one or more support sessions over the life of the program.
There are no in person peer support sessions scheduled at my choir?
We are still building our program which will run till the end of June. We will add sessions as registrations let us know where the interest is. If your choir only has 2-3 carers interested we may also reach out to support an informal coffee gathering between you outside of choir time. In the meantime please join us for our online sessions available to everyone.
I don’t live in Victoria, can I still participate?
Unfortunately because the project is funded by the Victorian State Government, we cannot offer you a free choir membership or in person peer support sessions to people outside of Victoria. However you are very welcome to join in on the online peer support sessions. Feel free to still register and we’ll share the details.