On the last Monday of the month Wentworthville Community Centre will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for residents seeking information, advice or referrals from service providers.
Delivered in partnership with NSW Family and Community Services (FACS), the Community Services Access Hub brings together over 20 community and local, state and federal government agencies to provide person-centred and localised support.
Mayor Greg Cummings said the project was a perfect example of different levels of government working together to deliver great outcomes for the community.
“The ‘Hub’ provides an opportunity for community members to interact face-to-face with service providers in a local and accessible location,” Mayor Cummings said.
“The ‘Hub’ will be delivered on the last Monday of the month from 11.30am – 2.30pm. During this time residents will be able to access housing services, Council, NSW Police, legal services, welfare services and more.
“While it’s logical for government departments to be separated into areas like housing and health, residents don’t want multiple hoops to jump through.
“The Community Services Access Hub means that a person can get information about housing, advice on a legal matter or help with a health issue – all from the one, convenient location.
The initiative has found an enthusiastic supporter in Constitution Hill resident Joanne Pigram, an active volunteer with the Constitution Hill Initiative: Motivating and Engaging Society (CHIMES). CHIMES works closely with Housing NSW to promote cohesion and social harmony in the local area.
“Having all the services in one place will save time running halfway across town for this, or halfway across the city for that,” Ms Pigram said.
“Too often your sent to one place for paperwork and then another for something else. That’s fine if you’ve access to a scanner or time to make phone calls but it adds stress.
“Saving time is important. It can mean the difference between running late or not; it can take some of the stress off your shoulders.
“The time I’ll save by having all the services in one place means I’ll have more time to do things that are relevant to me.”
The next Community Services Access Hub will be held on Monday 25 February.
