BALLARAT East Neighbourhood House\u2019s office and some activities are now based at BGT-run community hub, Barkly Square.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s other organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve 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 caf\u00e9 from 9.30am to 10.30am, and we have recently run Be Connected classes for older Australians to improve their digital literacy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have activities at Eureka Hall, with tai chi on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 11am, and a drawing group on Monday afternoons.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re currently coming up with a list of activities to promote in the next edition of our City of Ballarat seed-funded Community News <\/em>for term three, to see what people are interested in and what we should run.\u201d<\/p>\n Holding classes, meet-ups, and events in the communal spaces of Barkly Square, the House\u2019s joyful, meaningful projects are adding to the space\u2019s friendly and warm buzz.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to have the sounds of the playgroup kids, them running around, linking in with the Toy Library, and having people chatting,\u201d Ms Greenwood-Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt brings a nice vibe, and it builds on what the caf\u00e9 has already done. People feel very comfortable and welcome when they come there.<\/p>\n \u201cActivating 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\u2019re working our way through connecting with these groups.\u201d<\/p>\n