EVENT

What impact do Neighbourhood & Community Centres in Queensland have on their communities?
Join us for the launch of the Sector Impact Report 2021

Wednesday 16 March, 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

Did you know that in 2021, Neighbourhood and Community Centres in Queensland produced $4.81 in community value for every $1 invested by the State Government?

Each year, NCQ undertakes the largest Queensland-wide survey on the state of the Neighbourhood and Community Centre sector and delivers a comprehensive report on the community value and impact of centres. 

This year, we invite neighbourhood and community centres, partner organisations and stakeholders to the online launch of the Neighbourhood and Community Centre Sector Impact Report 2021. 

We'll share an overview of important insights from the report, thank participating centres and allow time for audience Q&A.

Please register your attendance for event updates and reminders.

NEWS

Neighbourhood & Community Centres Need a $25M Boost to Deliver $165.5M in Social Value for Queenslanders

As a network, Neighbourhood and Community Centres are the largest community-led infrastructure in Queensland. In 2021 alone, centres had over 2.3 million interactions with community members, producing over $90 million in community value.

Yet with median government baseline funding of just $126,501, the Neighbourhood Centre sector is one of the most underfunded community services in Queensland. Numerous reports on the sector from 2017 have demonstrated the need for much larger investment from the Queensland Government.

Neighbourhood Centres Queensland, along with our members, communities, and partners, call for an investment of $25million into Neighbourhood Centres in the 2022-2023 state budget. This is critical to alleviate the enormous pressure Queensland communities are currently facing, exacerbated by Queensland’s projected growth over the next 10 years.

Neighbourhood Centres offer unique solutions to community issues not matched by any other service across the state. To deliver this unique place-based model NCQ recommends investment into 5 key areas, as outlined in the budget submission and available here.

NEWS

NCQ Meets with Minister Leeanne Enoch

This month, NCQ and Neighbourhood Centre Representatives met with Minister Leeanne Enoch to discuss our sector’s budget asks and the future of the neighbourhood and community centre sector.

With the state budget being announced in June, this month and next we're connecting with state ministers from across Queensland, to highlight the extraordinary impact of centres in their electorate, the broader statewide picture and to discuss our state budget asks.

NEWS

Queensland Government Announces $20,000 one-off Funding Boost for DCHDE funded Neighbourhood Centres

Earlier this month, the Queensland Government and Minister Enoch announced $20,000 one-off grants would be available to department-funded neighbourhood and community centres in Queensland. Minister Enoch acknowledged the “extraordinary efforts [of Queensland’s Neighbourhood Centres] and the increased costs incurred as a result of the pandemic".

Over the past two years, COVID-19 has significantly increased demand on centres, whilst simultaneously reducing income from usual sources such as venue hire and fundraising.

Neighbourhood Centres Queensland welcomes the funding boost, while acknowledging the need for further and ongoing investment to support the NCC sector. This is outlined in NCQ’s sector budget submission. NCQ CEO Em James said that any investment in neighbourhood centres was a direct investment in Queensland communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, neighbourhood and community centres have continued to go above and beyond for local communities, bringing their trademark adaptability to respond to the emerging challenges in their communities,” they said.

“From physically distanced playgroups to volunteers creating cook-along meal kits for fellow community members, neighbourhood centres found innovative ways to foster belonging and connection and provide practical support and advice."

Let Us Know Your Stories & Thoughts
How will your centre be using the funding?
What are your thoughts on the funding provided?

NCQ is inviting feedback from centres by emailing info@ncq.org.au.

NEWS

Jane Hawthorne joins the NCQ team as Finance Lead

When the NCQ team received Jane's application for the new part-time role of Finance Lead, we were thrilled. 

Jane has substantial experience across finance, business improvement and designing online experiences. She's previously worked as a Senior Business Analyst for the Australian Taxation Office, a Manager at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and in research roles. 

Luckily for our sector, Jane is also an energetic and engaged social enterprise lover, keen to contribute her skills and experience to for-purpose organisations. She's spent the last year working with Share Shed, Repair Australia and Givit. She now joins NCQ in a part-time capacity on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and we look forward to our members receiving the benefits of her ideas and improvements.

NEWS

Neighbourhood Centres set for Bushfire Strategy Action

NCQ and Neighbourhood Centres based in identified high risk bushfire areas are currently working on the first phase of implementing the Queensland Neighbourhood Centres Strategy for Bushfire Resilience 2021-23. Neighbourhood Centres came together online last year to identify priority actions to bring this Strategy to fruition.

Some of the planned areas of focus include: raise awareness of Centres capacity to respond to the needs of bushfire affected communities; continue to build relationships and collaboration with Local Disaster Management Groups; enhance processes for managing and supporting volunteers, business continuity planning, share resources; and increase collaboration among Neighbourhood Centres.

This Bushfire Resilience Strategy Implementation (phase 1) project has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 through the Category C Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grant – Round 2.

NEWS

Mareeba Community Centre is door-knocking to deliver free information about mental health

Starting this month, the Mareeba Community Centre is running a project
which aims to check-in with community members about their mental health and help link them with wellbeing services in their area. 

The project will see 'People Connectors' going door-to-door to engage community members in conversation and share important information that could help the residents, their families or their friend's mental health.

The other aim of the ACDC Project is to gather feedback on any service gaps, so that improvements can be made by local, state, and federal governments.

This project is delivered from February to May in partnership with Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC), Community Mental Health Australia and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

NEWS

Kingston East Neighbourhood Group Delivers 1,000 School Backpacks with resources to kids in the community

As students returned to school for the year, many centres worked to provide their community members with backpacks and school resources to children and young people who would otherwise go without.
 
The team at Kingston East Neighbourhood Group delivered 1,000 school backpacks through their Back to School Program. Kim Wright, Manager of the centre shared "Many of our families in Logan are doing it tough and find it difficult to purchase school items. We thought this was a great opportunity to support the community with all the essential items to begin their school year and to support them on their learning journey."

"The 1000 backpacks are provided to our community partners, local schools and families from KENG’s integrated service model. KENG staff, management and wonderful volunteers spent many hours putting together all the necessary supplies. It was definitely a highlight to see so many smiles on the kids faces and to see them enthusiastic to return to school."

How is this incredible project funded? Kim shared that their centre fundraises  by hosting a Charity Golf Day and KENG’s Annual Back To School Bash. The Back To School Bash is held at the private residence of Geoff Leeming, KENG’s Management’s Committee President. Many local businesses also get on board by donating raffle and auction items for our fundraising events.

EVENT

In Conversation with Queensland Under Treasurer Leon Allen: Budget edition

Thursday 3 March, 10:30am to 11:30am
Online

In June, the Queensland State Government will announce its budget for 2022-2023. NCQ is currently advocating for increased funding for Neighbourhood and Community Centres and encourages centres to join us in attending this information session about the budget process.

In conversation wuth Queensland Under Treasurer Leon Allen, QCOSS will unpack the Queensland Government’s budget process, including how the social service sector can best influence and contribute to state government funding priorities. QCOSS will dissect the different stages and requirements of building the state’s budget, how budget decisions are made and key timelines for stakeholder input.

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