The photographs, taken by enthusiastic amateurs, will represent a variety of moods and experiences from an ordinary group of people caring for those they love who are sick, frail or have a disability.

The exhibition will run from October 20 to 31 and has been sponsored by the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Neighbour Aid Service with Home and Community Care funding and supported by Carers NSW.

The carer support group formed two years ago for the purpose of mutual support, social interaction and gaining knowledge.

The carers look after partners or children with a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain injury, quadriplegia, memory loss, arthritis, mental illness and intellectual disability.

While each condition requires a different response, the carers have many experiences and concerns in common.

Some of the issues which challenge carers include the difficulty of taking time out and maintaining outside interests, finding relevant information and appropriate services which can offer support, being understood and not judged when talking about the difficult aspects of caring, including financial hardship and changes to relationships.

It is widely known that carers are very vulnerable to stress related illnesses so that joining a support group or finding out about other support services may be the first step in promoting better health and well being.