A new national campaign is raising awareness of Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers as more members of this generation enter, or consider, aged care.
More than 500,000 Australians experienced institutional or out-of-home care during the last century. For many, those early experiences continue to shape how they feel about trust, support and care later in life.
Despite the scale of this history, awareness remains low across the broader community.
A collaboration among UnitingCare Network organisations is now working to change that, sharing lived experiences to build understanding across both the aged care sector and the wider public.
At the centre of the campaign is Remember Me Now, a video series featuring people reflecting on what it means to grow older after a childhood in care. These are not historical accounts, but present-day insights into memory, identity and re-engaging with care systems later in life.
The initiative also includes a podcast episode, co-designed training modules and practical resources to support more trauma-aware care.
Helping Hand Aged Care is leading a national Community of Practice within the UnitingCare Network, supporting providers to better embed trauma-informed approaches and improve outcomes for Care Leavers.
Helping Hand CEO Chris Stewart says taking the time to understand these experiences is essential.
“There are many Australians whose early experiences are not widely understood yet continue to shape how they move through the world,” he says.
“Taking the time to understand these stories is one of the most important things we can do, because it changes how we relate to people, how we support them, and how safe they feel.”
With Care Experienced History Month underway, Australians are being encouraged to learn more and reflect on the role we all play in creating understanding and inclusion.
Learn more
To watch the Remember Me Now series and access resources, visit: realcaretoolkit.com.au
