THE doors at Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub are always open but this month they\u2019re inviting the community in for special events, programs or even just a casual chat during Neighbourhood House Week.<\/p>\n
From 8 to 14 May the Hub will run a variety of classes for people of all ages and abilities and co-ordinator Angelique Whitehouse said anyone is welcome at the commitment free events.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about opening our doors and encouraging people just to come in and have a look around. Sometimes it\u2019s really daunting to walk into a new place and just join a course, you don\u2019t know anyone, you\u2019ve never been there so for us it\u2019s about just saying \u2018look we\u2019re here, come in, have a look around\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it takes a little bit of that pressure off people. Sometimes it\u2019s just being unfamiliar with something and then when you get a little bit of familiarity you feel more comfortable walking in and engaging.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the events calendar are classes for sewing, computers, phones and even an English language class taught by Ms Whitehouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much stuff we do here, so many programs, activities that most people don\u2019t even know about and they\u2019re really surprised when they walk in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteers and staff at the Hub can also provide one-on-one support to people with a range of different needs like assistance with Centrelink forms or housing when they may not be eligible for other services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fill the gaps,\u201d Ms Whitehouse said. \u201cThey can come here and we will meet that need when it arises.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kaitlin Williams joined the team as a program and administration worker after completing a placement at the Hub during her studies and said the mostly free services they provide are vital for the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly critical of the community to have a place like this. It\u2019s so important to have that staff and that support there in the community to be able to lift and support everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter what race, gender, age [or] ethnicity, everyone is always welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
More information on the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub and their open house week can be found on their Facebook page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE doors at Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub are always open but this month they\u2019re inviting the community in for special events, programs or even just a casual chat during Neighbourhood House Week. From 8 to 14 May the Hub will run a variety of classes for people of all ages and abilities and co-ordinator Angelique Whitehouse […]<\/p>\n