The Greek Australian women’s Food For Thought Network (FFTN) is hosting a panel discussion on the ‘Sandwich Generation’.

Many Baby Boomers and Gen Xs are finding themselves, as the term suggests, caught in the middle of caring for their ageing parents, their children, and or, grandchildren, while simultaneously pursuing their career ambitions and maintaining relationships.

“The reason we chose this topic is that we feel it is relevant to our audience – professional Greek Australian women in their 30s and 40s upwards – but overlooked,” FFTN Treasurer Amy Castos told Neos Kosmos.

She noted that many members of their audience, whether they be Greek or not, find themselves in that very position; caring for ageing parents suffering from chronic illnesses or mental health issues, while trying to balance their time with children, partners and making a living.

“We’re going to be talking about the impact on family dynamics, because often it is the woman who is looking after the mother-in-law or the parents-in-law, and not just their own parents. Then you’ve got the other overlay if you’re caring for an ageing parent and then one of your children has a disability and the other one doesn’t, how difficult it can be for the other child as well. There’s impacts in every way,” says Ms Castos.

The aim of the event, as with the topic, is multifaceted, hosted to create a dialogue that will inform, create connection and empower attendees.

The panel features Pronia’s CEO Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos, along with Jennifer Daddowm, a Community Education Officer from Carer’s Victoria who will share their professional insight on the topic. While a carer will share her own lived experience of being a ‘Sandwich carer’.

Each panellist will speak for up to 10 minutes, after which the platform will be opened up to the audience for question time. Attendees will also have the chance to network before and after the event, during which the manager of Pronia’s Family and Community Services will also be present and available for a chat.

“These topics can get quite emotional; you just don’t know what’s going to trigger you,” empathises Ms Castos.

“This topic is so important and impacts so many people, but it’s not trendy. People are either going through the caring journey or have gone through it, and for those who haven’t, either way we are all going to go through it in the future.”

The FFTN’s Sandwich Generation event is taking place on Tuesday 28 August at the Greek Centre (168 Londsale St, Melbourne, VIC) at 6.00 pm. For more information and to book your spot, visit http://www.fftn.org.au/the-sandwich-generation