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\u201cPeople find us for various reasons, and we try to offer something for everyone. We have a community garden and a men\u2019s gardening group, some people come for help with computers and digital technology, even Facetime, there\u2019s lots of craft programs, and a family history search group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t mind what your background is. As long as you feel comfortable to come along, visit us, or try one of our programs, you\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
A big focus of the House now, influenced by the COVID vaccination era, is helping residents navigate and access MyGov, My Health Record and e-prescriptions, as well as the basics of properly scanning a QR code.<\/p>\n
The Ballarat North Neighbourhood House is open five days a week during school hours at 6 Crompton Street, Soldiers Hill.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s run by the Salvation Army, and part of a broader Victorian network of hundreds of Neighbourhood Houses. These centres are all different but \u201cstrategically placed where there are communities that need them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough Neighbourhood Houses, the government endeavours to empower people,\u201d Ms Demuth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes people come to us, try a skill, and then go onto do that as a career. One lady, for example, came to us to do a watercolour painting class, then she went onto do fine arts at university.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a supportive steppingstone.\u201d<\/p>\n