It is getting close to Christmas time and while some people are winding down for a festive break, we know that the caring role continues 24/7.

Over Christmas there are often even greater stresses placed on family relationships and things can unravel pretty quickly.

It is a good time to check if your service provider is open for counselling or emergency respite services.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are located around Australia to help people find care and support to continue living independently in their own homes. Centres can provide information about community, aged care, disability and other support services. The Centres can also help to arrange respite care when carers need a break, including in-home, emergency and other flexible respite options.

To contact your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, phone Freecall 1800 052 222 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, phone Freecall 1800 059 059.

Here is a full list of all the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres in NSW. For other states, go to:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-carers-crespcloc.htm#nsw

New South Wales Centres

Far North Coast Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Shop 34 Alstonville Plaza
ALSTONVILLE 2477

South East Sydney Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Level 3, Cnr Moate Avenue & Princess Street
BRIGHTON-LE-SANDS 2216

Far West Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
HACC Centre
Cnr Wills & Gypsum Street
BROKEN HILL 2880

Cumberland / Prospect Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Unit 3
9-11 Rowley Street
SEVEN HILLS NSW 2147

Northern Sydney Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Suite 1, Level 1
5-7 Bryson Street
CHATSWOOD 2067

Inner West Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
44 Liverpool Road
SUMMER HILL 2067

Orana Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Lourdes Hospital
80-110 Cobbora Road
DUBBO 2830

Illawarra Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
48 Central Avenue
OAK FLATS 2529

South West Sydney Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
40 Cumberland Street
CABRAMATTA 2166

Mid North Coast Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Suite 2, 9 River Street
MACKSVILLE 2447

Central West Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Suite 4, 235 Lords Place
ORANGE 2800

Nepean Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
396 High Street
PENRITH 2750

Southern Highlands Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Shop 13, Cassidy Arcade, 72 - 74 Monaro Street
QUEANBEYAN 2620

New England Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
133Marius Street
TAMWORTH 2340

Riverina Murray Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
93 Morgan Street
WAGGA WAGGA 2650

Hunter Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Walker Building, Wallsend Health Campus
Longworth Avenue
WALLSEND 2287

Central Coast Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Suite 1 Citigate, 451 Pacific Hwy
NORTH GOSFORD 2250