The Sacred Nest

Empowering Carers….Nourishing Homes.

Welcome to our nurturing space, where we deliver wellbeing programs for carers who are looking for connection, education and support that meets their unique needs. Our goal is to empower carers to implement lifestyle changes that can improve their health and wellbeing, build resilience and prevent carer fatigue.

Our programs are a based on the latest in scientific research combined with compassion and understanding that only lived-experience can bring. We explore a range of lifestyle medicine topics that are important for longevity and mental wellbeing, that will support carers along their journey.

Much of our work centres around the neurobiology of stress and how the vagus nerve helps us to maintain balance in the body and mind. Through its connections to many organs, including the digestive system, sensory system, heart and lungs; carers will come to understand how they can support themselves to achieve more balance in their own homes.

What kind of Carer are you?

Carers come in many forms…. so much so that some people don’t even realise that they are carers!

You may be caring for a family member with a disability, an elderly parent or a partner with a medical condition. Or perhaps you provide support for someone with a mental health condition or addiction of some kind. Some carers are paid as part of their work, whilst many others are not. Whatever your caring role is – the mental, emotional and sometimes physical stress can have the same burden on your health.

Unpaid Carers

Caring at Home

According to Carers Victoria, in 2026 there are more than 750,000 unpaid carers in Victoria alone, which equates to 12% of the state’s population. Of these, 81% are caring for an immediate family member or relative, which takes a huge emotional and mental toll. For these carers, the home may not be the place of rest that others in the community experience. Finding ways to replenish their energy and build resilience through self-care is critical for their health and longevity, and the wellbeing of the entire nest.

Paid Carers

Caring at Work

Are you a paid carer or run an organisation that manages them?

Paid carers include educators, nurses, paramedics, doctors, aged-care and disability support workers, foster carers, … and the list goes on!

Whatever industry you work in, if you are responsible for the care of others you are also likely to experience the mental, emotional and sometimes physical stress that can lead to burn-out.

How can we help?

The Sacred Nest supports carers by empowering them with the knowledge they need to need to live a more balanced and purposeful life. Our program was developed by fellow carer and principal consultant, Cynthia Bartolo, who delivers each workshop with compassion and understanding through shared lived experience.

Replenished for Care is the full program, which can be delivered flexibly to suit your caring schedule and the needs of each group. Alternatively, Cynthia can focus on one of the 3 key topics of the program, delivered as a single workshop. See below for details of each option.

Replenished for Care

Full Program

Replenished for Care is our full program that includes a series of workshops delivered flexibly over 3-4 weeks, or as a single block. Designed to suit the varying needs of carers, timeframes and delivery can be tailored to the needs of each group or organisation. We offer remote delivery, on site at The Sacred Nest or at your desired location. For more information on the workshops, click on the button below.

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Nourishing Nests

Single Workshop

For more focus on a particular topic, single workshops from the Replenished for Care program are an option. Our most popular workshop focuses on the impact that food has on mood and cognition throughout the whole of life. This workshop translates the latest research in the growing field of ‘Nutritional Psychiatry’ and explores the relationship between food quality and mental wellbeing outcomes.

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The information was very clear and very relevant. Cynthia has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area and the information was backed by evidence-based research which is very important to me. Cynthia presented with patience, compassion and shared experience.

I Loved the feel of the venue. The space was super cosy and inviting.

Cynthia provides an intelligent and innovative meld of evidence based knowledge and skills with compassionate and holistic approaches to health and wellbeing. Her passion to create not only safe but exquisitely beautiful spaces reflects her attention to detail and capacity to take a range of ideas and information to create a place that soothes the soul. Cynthia has a vision for the internal spaces of our bodies to be as healthy and balanced as possible. She offers approaches which attend to the inner environment of the gut and promote peace and tranquillity within.

Such a beautiful and comforting space. A definite place of calming and restorative energy.
This is a beautiful, safe and creative space for the community interested in inspiring topics such as sustainability, nutrition and self awareness. The host, Cynthia Bartolo, is a warm soul constantly upgrading her skills to provide professional services always with a touch of humanity. I highly recommend visiting The Sacred Nest, a unique place in Melbourne, Australia.
Get in Touch

Please email us or complete the contact form below. Alternatively, you can call Cynthia on 0417 500 197.

The Sacred Nest is located in Ascot Vale, not far from Flemington Racecourse and just outside of the Melbourne CBD on the 59 tram. Free street parking is available.