Neighbourhood House Coordination Program

Neighbourhood Houses are places where people come to connect, learn and contribute to their local community. They do this through social, educational, recreational and support activities.

About the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program

The Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) provides funding to around 400 neighbourhood houses and neighbourhood house networks across Victoria to:

1. support the provision of community development programs and activities which lead to community-strengthening outcomes by:

  • supporting diversity by promoting community participation and inclusion
  • facilitating community development and capacity building in support of individuals and groups within communities
  • supporting life-long learning opportunities for people to improve their training and employment pathways and community participation

2. undertake community development processes to address locally identified priorities and needs through:

  • community consultation
  • development of agreed community responses to identified priorities and needs
  • identification of partners and funding sources.
  • facilitating and evaluating responses to identified needs and priorities.

Free Governance training for Neighbourhood House volunteers and staff

Funded by the Victorian Government, Justice Connect offer free 3-hour training sessions on key legal issues for neighbourhood houses. These sessions are limited to 50 places, so book early. The feedback received from past participants is very positive, people are finding the training very useful.
Register for a session via the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria professional development page.

  • Neighbourhood house coordination program guidelines

    The Neighbourhood house coordination program guidelines provide information to organisations funded under the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program.

    The guidelines explain:

    • funding and reporting requirements
    • governance arrangements
    • the roles and responsibilities of committees of management
    • the roles and responsibilities of networkers and coordinators.

    They also include a sector guide about how to implement a community development model of the program.

    All members of committees of management, coordinators and networkers are encouraged to read the guidelines to inform the operation of their neighbourhood house program.

  • About neighbourhood houses

    Neighbourhood houses are not-for-profit centres for people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages. They come to:

    • meet, chat and make friends
    • develop new skills, transition to work and further study
    • become involved in community events, volunteer
    • find out about other services or activities in the area
    • join a class or support group, or take up an activity for fun and enjoyment.

    Neighbourhood houses usually operate with income from low-cost activities and input from volunteers. Funding from other areas, including government grants, help the houses to provide a range of activities for their communities.

Contacts
Community Participation and Volunteering
NHCP@dffh.vic.gov.au
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
03 9602 1228
info@nhvic.org.au
Shop B41, Level 4, 744 Bourke Street, Docklands VIC, 3008