FOR Kerry Parry, the Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre has become a safe space for the community to gather again.<\/p>\n
Ahead of Neighbourhood House Week starting next Monday, Ms Parry, coordinator of LGNC, said people were slowly making their return and breaking down barriers of social isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have, bit by bit, cautiously come back through the door,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Neighbourhood House Week theme is building resilience by bringing people together and for LGNC, that has focused on encouraging people to take part in one of their many activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about us trying to reassure people that we are providing as safe a space as we possibly can,\u201d Ms Parry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding resilience for people to reconnect socially, sometimes you need someone to come alongside you to say \u2018hang in there\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you\u2019ve broken the ice of walking in the door, you\u2019ll actually find it\u2019s a safe place, you can enjoy yourself and feel way better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Social offerings include a Chatty Cafe, cooking classes, a card making group and community garden and there\u2019s also an opportunity to get active with yoga and chair yoga, and a walking group.<\/p>\n
Free pantry items, toiletries, books, DVDs and sporting equipment is also available, as well as phone and computer classes, and help with complex forms like Centrelink or rental papers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see us as being a bit like a train station, we\u2019re kind of a conduit to other places,\u201d Ms Parry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about us being all things to all people, it\u2019s about us helping people to connect in with whatever\u2019s around the place. That, to me, is really important.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, we\u2019re all part of society together and the broader Bendigo community, so no matter where people are from, they\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOR Kerry Parry, the Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre has become a safe space for the community to gather again. Ahead of Neighbourhood House Week starting next Monday, Ms Parry, coordinator of LGNC, said people were slowly making their return and breaking down barriers of social isolation. \u201cPeople have, bit by bit, cautiously come back through […]<\/p>\n