It’s national Neighbourhood Week, which aims to raise awareness about the important role community centres play in society.
This year’s theme is ‘Locals connecting Locals’, which hopes to celebrate human connection.
The Yeppoon Community Centre is being recognised for its welcoming atmosphere, friendly team and wide variety of services.
Neighbourhood Centre Week, happening across Australia from 8 to 14 May 2023, is a nationwide initiative to celebrate over 1,000 Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres.
As part of the initiative free cupcakes will be handed out at Yeppoon’s Bay Plaza today and on Friday, with residents encouraged to share these sweet treats and a conversation with their neighbours.
To help foster connection and tackle loneliness experienced by some residents, the Community Centre is also hosting a Garden Gathering at 11.00am Tuesday May 9, and will continue each Tuesday for the month of May.
Soup will also be provided at these gatherings, by Lure Living.
Livingstone Shire Councillor Pat Eastwood says one in six people are currently living with depression, anxiety, or both.
“Recent studies have shown that loneliness and feelings of disconnection are increasingly prevalent in society and contribute to a myriad of related problems,” he says.
“These can range from general physical and emotional ill-health, to depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, crime and even suicide.
“That’s why the Yeppoon Community Centre is such a vital service to residents in need of guidance and support, especially during the challenging times many of the Shire’s residents are currently facing, following the impacts of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis.
“The centre and its team do fantastic work year-round, and Neighbourhood Centre Week provides a real opportunity to celebrate this and extend its reach out to those in the community who may not yet be aware what their local centre has to offer.
“It offers a broad range of services to those in need including general information and referral assistance, outreach services, networking and social events, participation in programmes and activities which build skills, affordable meeting spaces for local community groups, and life-long learning opportunities.
“Not to mention the list of workshops, discussions, displays and social events in areas such as arts and crafts, health and fitness, computing and IT, and personal development which are also held frequently at the centre.
“Council is extremely proud to be able to provide these important services, which are partly funded through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, to the local community.”
You can drop in anytime between the hours of 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, at 80 John Street, Yeppoon.
