AS term one approaches, Ballarat North Neighbourhood House staff are inviting everyone to step inside their community space.<\/p>\n
From early February the neighbourhood house is offering opportunities for people to grow socially through learn hands-on gardening and creative skill classes.<\/p>\n
Previously, the small house\u2019s programming was structured, but coordinator Kristen Sheridan said it\u2019s increasingly becoming a relaxed space where anyone can drop in when they like.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to just come in for a class and head home,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a place where people can use the facility in a social capacity at any time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve set up new small tables where people can meet a friend for a cuppa, or use them for work or study if they\u2019re working remotely. We also have a chatty cafe on a Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the coming weeks a range of learning opportunities will get underway.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody who\u2019s got any digital issues with phones, laptops, tablets, computers, Mac, PC, or anything else can come in for an hour for free, ask questions, we\u2019ll do what we can to help, and if we can\u2019t, we\u2019ll point them in the right direction,\u201d said tutor Greg Horgan.<\/p>\n
A your story course will aim to help people learn how to collect genealogical information, then pull interesting biographical family history stories together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe internet cafe is an opportunity to come in without a booking, access a PC or iPad, have a cuppa, bring a friend or come on their own, and get some assistance from Greg informally, whether they\u2019re searching for a house online, learning to use their Android phone, or needing to access myGov,\u201d Ms Sheridan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is that it\u2019s social, with support to back it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
The house\u2019s garden is set to be revitalised, and Ms Sheridan is inviting green thumbs, whether experienced or budding, to get their hands dirty, sharing and learning basic horticultural skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to get more and more people outside and into that safe community space, and for them and support us to create a vision and plan with what to do with the garden into the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s some lovely, big garden beds out there that we\u2019re looking to potentially convert into wicking beds so they\u2019re self-watering, and we\u2019re looking at making it more accessible with paving and more seating.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose sorts of activities will be run as how-to sessions as well, so people can participate in their development, learn, and contribute to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Sheridan is seeking volunteers, and feedback on classes people would like to see run out of the centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really happy to hear from people who have ideas and things they\u2019re interested in, because if we have a small group interested in the same thing, we\u2019re happy to be flexible and put other programs on for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a range of volunteer roles for people needing to complete volunteer hours, or simply wanting to contribute in some way to the house if they\u2019re retired or semi-retired,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have gardening, reception, and social media marketing roles; a range of duties depending on expertise. We\u2019ll also be setting up steering committees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Computers and iPads are available at the house for those who do not have their own, and all classes are run in small groups.<\/p>\n
Head to bit.ly\/3GQ8zYz for more information, to enrol or express interest in volunteering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS term one approaches, Ballarat North Neighbourhood House staff are inviting everyone to step inside their community space. From early February the neighbourhood house is offering opportunities for people to grow socially through learn hands-on gardening and creative skill classes. Previously, the small house\u2019s programming was structured, but coordinator Kristen Sheridan said it\u2019s increasingly becoming […]<\/p>\n