Nestled in Chippendale Street, Ayr is the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, a space for kindness and community connection for all residents of the region.
The centre has been operational for almost 40 years, originally established by volunteers wanting a hub for activity and connection and ultimately funded through the Department of Communities.
“People generally don’t come into the Neighbourhood Centre unless they need something and it’s when they walk through the doors that they realise there’s a whole new world in here,” said Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre Co-ordinator Natalie Saroglia.
The centre focuses on providing a sense of community, social engagement, and access to services for community members.
“We sit in the community development sector where we work with people,” Ms Saroglia said.
“People are the bosses of their own lives, and we just walk alongside them wherever they want to go, whether it’s to access services or they’re lonely and just want to engage in some activities, we provide the links.”
Responding to the needs of the community, the centre provides programs including computer classes, crochet, mahjong, free community legal advice and more.
“A lot of our programming is done with volunteers, so we engage people in the community who have passions for things and are happy to share that,” Ms Saroglia said.
One of the many services found within the centre is Good Shepherd’s Financial Independence Hub, led by Financial Coach Helen Curmi, where she focuses on building financial independence after people have experienced family and domestic violence.
“Financial recovery is a strengths-based program, working with what people’s skills are, defining goals and developing those skills,” Ms Curmi said.
“It’s amazing to see how resilient people are and if you are there to give them that courage and they know you’re going to be walking the path with them, they know that they’re not alone.”
The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre is seeking volunteers to take on a variety of positions to assist the organisation in moving forward and is holding their AGM on Wednesday, October 25.
Visit Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre on Facebook, call 07 4783 4243 or drop in to 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr for more information.
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre Admin Staff Sue and Marisa
Good Shepherd Financial Independence Hub Financial Coach Helen Curmi. Photos supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
