As part of Neighbourhood Centre Week, we’re inviting Queenslanders to share their stories about how a Neighbourhood Centre has supported them, connected them with others, or made a difference in their life.
Real stories help show how vital Neighbourhood Centres are in the lives of Queenslanders, offering practical, heartwarming and sometimes life-changing support in so many different ways.
Whether you visited a Neighbourhood Centre years ago, work or volunteer at a Centre, or had your life changed by an experience at a Centre, we’d love to hear about it.
Share your story, or invite someone to share theirs (either anonymously or with a name), here: bit.ly/NCW-sharestory
These concrete, community-led examples show the many different ways Centres support their communities and why their work is so valuable.
Thank you so much to those who have shared their stories. You can read them below:
“Lockyer Community Centre has supported me through some extremely tough times over the past couple of years. I always feel comfortable and safe going to them when I need help.
They have assisted me with so many things, including: Guiding me through the complex process of applying for the NDIS while managing multiple chronic health conditions, helping with arrangements for my son’s formal, and providing tech support for online tasks.
Advocating for me to secure stable housing – and I’m now excited to be preparing to move from temporary accommodation into a house that I can make a home for my son and I.
They also connected me with the local TOMNET men’s group that meets at the community centre. Through this group, I’ve built friendships and feel far less alone and more connected to my community.
All of this support has been given in a non-judgemental, safe, and welcoming space, and I am incredibly grateful. I struggle with complex mental health diagnoses, but the staff at Lockyer Community Centre have always made me feel safe, heard, and supported.”
– Neil
“I’ve always loved seeing what Neighbourhood Centres do for the community. I had the privilege of doing my dissertation with Neighbourhood Centre practitioners, and learned so much about the work they do and the roles they play and also how different each and every centre is. In my work in homelessness, they have been invaluable for helping people not only access ER on occasion, but link in and meet people once housed to combat the loneliness and disconnection that so often leads to re-entering homelessness. More people need to hear about what Neighbourhood Centres do and that they’re for anyone and everyone!”
– Anonymous