FOUR neighbourhood houses in the Macedon Ranges will be able to deliver an extra five hours of support with funding delivered by the state government.
Lancefield Neighbourhood House, Romsey Neighbourhood House, Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre, and Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House will each receive $14,760 to deliver 25 coordination hours per week.
A total of 162 neighbourhood houses across Victoria are getting additional coordination hours, which will give families improved access to employment, training and volunteering opportunities as part of a record $21.8 million investment to deliver an extra 76,700 hours each year.
The additional coordination hours will help staff and volunteers provide activities and services like language classes, computer tutoring, health and well-being activities, life skills lessons, self-help groups and occasional childcare.
Almost 200,000 people visit a neighbourhood house or use their services every week in Victoria, bringing people together to connect, learn and contribute with fellow community members.
Additional funding through the Victorian Budget 2018/19 will also allow mobile neighbourhood house networkers to spend 4800 extra hours with individual houses to improve access to key services and activities.
Victoria has more than 400 neighbourhood houses across the state within 16 networks. Neighbourhood house networkers have responsibility for visiting and supporting houses in their area to ensure the community is getting the best service possible.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said neighbourhood houses are an important part of Victoria and the Macedon Ranges.
“From community lunches to IT training, from boomerang bags to community advocacy, there’s always something going on at our Neighbourhood Houses to build and strengthen our communities – it is wonderful to be able to increase their funding,” she said.
