Helping Communities Weather the Perfect Storm
Local Neighbourhood and Community Centres are providing essential support to Queenslanders during what the QFCA describes as a “perfect storm”.
Em James, General Manager of the Queensland Families and Communities Association states, “Queenslanders are facing a “perfect storm” of social isolation, mental health issues, domestic violence, unemployment and financial hardship due to COVID-19 restrictions”. “As JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments are wound back, we expect to see larger numbers of people seeking support from our centres. Restrictions have forced people to seek support from their own Neighbourhoods rather than government or larger organisations”.
Research recently conducted by the peak body revealed that over 1.83 million Queenslanders visited a Neighbourhood Centre in the past year creating over $77.8million in social value and accessing 252 tonnes of emergency food relief. Neighbourhood Centres also provide social connection, crisis support, No Interest Loans, community development and individual help to local areas. “Over 2200 people volunteer in Queensland Neighbourhood Centres every week. So we have a lot of local people helping others out in their own communities in times of crisis”, Ms James added. "As Queenslanders face another natural disaster season on top of this current crisis, our centres will be literally helping local communities weather the perfect storm".
Drought Strategy Launch
The first Queensland Neighbourhood Centres’ Strategy for Drought Resilience has now been released by QFCA and Neighbourhood Centres from the western parts of the state! The Drought Strategy has been developed with a Centre-led process and shares Neighbourhood Centres’ experiences and what they are dealing with. The Strategy shows that as a place-based hub with existing connections in the local community, Neighbourhood Centres in drought-affected regions are in a unique position to build the strength of rural and regional communities in response to drought. The development of this Strategy was funded by the Queensland Community Foundation. Take a look at the Strategy and recording of the launch on the Drought Strategy webpage.
New General Manager
The QFCA is very pleased to announce our new General Manager Em James. With over 15 years of experience in the for-purpose sector, Em has worked in a range of roles including; community development, community centre management, sector advocacy with peak bodies, and university facilitation and research. Em is passionate about the role of neighbourhood centres in connecting people to make change in their communities and have greater say over issues affecting their lives. Em holds a Master of Development Practice (Community Development) and is in the final stages of a Master of Business Administration (Social Impact). Some of Em’s favourite things include adventures, books, dressmaking and a good idea.
Neighbourhood Centres and COVID 19
Queensland Neighbourhood and Community Centres were impacted by COVID 19 restrictions, but did an amazing job supporting their communities throughout this time via drive-through Emergency Relief, video conferencing playgroups, online support, NILS loans and more. The majority of Neighbourhood Centres are now open across the state, observing social distancing and hygiene measures. Neighbourhood Centres will play a huge role in community recovery as they rebuild community connections, social capital and support those affected by employment and housing issues.
QFCA a Very Neighbourly Organisation
The QFCA has become a Very Neighbourly Organisation as part of Neighbour Day celebrations on 29th March 2020. This year Neighbour Day is focusing on Social Connections demonstrating a perfect alignment with the existing work of over 150 local Neighbourhood and Community Centres across the state. Our media release for Neighbour Day is here.
Queensland Community Development Conference
Over 90 people from Neighbourhood and Community Centres attended the Queensland Community Development Conference in October 2019, thanks to generous sponsorship of $40000 from the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors. Knowledge sharing featured predominately as many Neighbourhood Centres conducted workshops to the 400 delegates across the 3 days. You can find out more on our CD Qld Conference page here.
QFCA Refunded for 3 Years by Queensland Government
We have received confirmation by the Hon. Coralee O'Rourke MP, Minister of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors that the QFCA has been refunded for the next 3 years. The department's Thriving Communities plan positions Neighbourhood and Community Centres as vital place-based infrastructure and whilst resourcing remains an issue of concern for the sector, we are excited to continue partnering with Government to develop centres across the state.
Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre on 7News Wide Bay
Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre's Open Day was recently featured on 7News Wide Bay, highlighting the awesome work of Neighbourhood and Community Centres in cities around Queensland.
Nundah Neighbourhood Centre releases Sexual Violence Podcast
Nundah Neighbourhood Centre and Community Legal Service have released a podcast series during Domestic and Family Violence Month focusing on Sexual Violence. Entitled "The Injustice of Intimacy", the podcast was released at Queensland's Parliament House with Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women Di Farmer, Attorney General Yvette D'Ath and MP Leanne Linard.
Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre on Win News
Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre has expanded their social enterprise, created a "kindness" garden and held a spectacular art auction. This was all recently featured in this Win News Wide Bay news story.
New Neighbourhood Centre for Toowoomba
Residents living in the Wilsonton community will benefit from a new and larger neighbourhood centre thanks to Palaszczuk Government funding of up to $3.6 million. Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke today (15 March) visited the existing neighbourhood centre and announced the Palaszczuk Government had secured additional land in Wilsonton for the construction of a new centre. You can read more here.
One Million Dollars Worth of No Interest Loans
Congratulations to Megan Blacklow of Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre whose No Interest Loans Scheme has administered $1million worth of loans to the Douglas Shire Community in partnership with Good Shepherd Microfinance. An amazing achievement!
QFCA Repositions for the Future
The QFCA held it's Annual General Meeting this week followed by strategic planning for the year with the board and staff. You can read our Annual Report here. The QFCA's leaders for the next financial year include Tomas Passeggi (President), Christine Buckland (Treasurer), Samantha Way (Secretary), Julie Theakson (Far North), Linda McClelland (North), Cassie Paton (South), Virginia Wacker (Far West), Sally Fischer (South West), Jenny Ryan (North Brisbane), Claudia Cunningham (South Brisbane), Bea Rogan (Sunshine) and Kim Eadie (Central). We're excited about Neighbourhood Centres and excited about the future! Over the next few months we're working closely with the CSIA, CoCB and other sector stakeholders to reposition ourselves to better lead the sector to greater things for their local communities. Stay tuned for exciting new developments....
Mt Gravatt Community Centre introduces Social Isolation Project
Acting Minister for Communities Shannon Fentiman has announced the Palaszczuk Government would provide an extra $100,000 in funding to the Mount Gravatt Community Centre as part of a proposal to address social isolation. You can read more about this innovative project here.
Neighbourhood Centres Responding to Priority Clients
The 2017 QFCA and QCOSS report into Queensland Neighbourhood Centres says:
96.3% are responding to homelessness
88.9% are responding to domestic violence
88.9% are responding to mental health issues
87% are responding to poverty
70% are responding to family homelessness
You can read more here.
Neighbourhood and Community Centres: Reconnecting the disconnected
Promotional video launched by the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association.
QFCA Social Media Launched
We're experimenting with new ways to keep Neighbourhood and Community Centres connected through the QFCA. In addition to our regular sector updates via email to centres, we have launched QFCA social media sites on Facebook and Linkedin as another way for members of the sector to keep up to date with news, articles and developments. You can like our Facebook page here and follow our Linkedin company page here. If you have any good news stories, newspaper articles, research or information you'd like to share with the network please email the content to sdo@qfca.org.au.
Neighbourhood Centres: Having a huge impact
Neighbourhood Centres are having a huge impact around Australia. You can see a snapshot of the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association's findings here.