A new home for Neighbourhood House

BALLARAT East Neighbourhood House’s office and some activities are now based at BGT-run community hub, Barkly Square.

BENH manager Sarah Greenwood-Smith said her small part-time team of staff and volunteers moved into the space earlier this year and are building their presence, creating partnerships with the Square’s other organisations.

“We’ve got a playgroup in partnership with the Ballarat Toy Library on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 11am, Chatty Wednesdays in partnership with A Pot of Courage café from 9.30am to 10.30am, and we have recently run Be Connected classes for older Australians to improve their digital literacy,” she said.

“We still have activities at Eureka Hall, with tai chi on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 11am, and a drawing group on Monday afternoons.

“We’re currently coming up with a list of activities to promote in the next edition of our City of Ballarat seed-funded Community News for term three, to see what people are interested in and what we should run.”

Holding classes, meet-ups, and events in the communal spaces of Barkly Square, the House’s joyful, meaningful projects are adding to the space’s friendly and warm buzz.

“It’s fantastic to have the sounds of the playgroup kids, them running around, linking in with the Toy Library, and having people chatting,” Ms Greenwood-Smith said.

“It brings a nice vibe, and it builds on what the café has already done. People feel very comfortable and welcome when they come there.

“Activating the shared spaces adds to the heart and soul that the 18 community groups are bringing to Barkly Square. We love it, we feel very welcome, and we’re working our way through connecting with these groups.”

Forty volunteers recently distributed over 7000 copies of the BENH Community News across six suburbs, and they are seeking more volunteers.

Contact the House by emailing [email protected] or calling 0422 612 052. They are open during school terms. Visit ballarateastnh.org.au.