By Romy Stephens
The Cockatoo Community House is still celebrating this year’s Neighbourhood House Week, albeit in a different form.
Neighbourhood House Week is an initiative that celebrates the role of community houses and centres in local communities.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Cockatoo Community House has been forced to take celebrations online this week.
As part of the event, the community house will gather on Zoom this Thursday 14 May for an online cuppa. It will also look to increase its social media sharing.
Cockatoo Community House coordinator Gabrielle Higgins said it’s an important week that helps recognise the inclusiveness of community houses and how they address social isolation.
“It’s a celebration of community really and the place of neighbourhood houses in the community, how they really are the glue that holds things together and connects people,” she said.
The Cockatoo Community House has also started a telephone survey to find out what the community needs during this time.
Ms Higgins said phone calls are important to ensure those who don’t have technology in their life aren’t excluded.
“We’ve found that phone calls are working really well so we’re checking in with a number of people,” she said.
“Just getting on the phone to someone helps keep people connected.”
The Cockatoo Community House’s Food is Free program is still operating and many classes, such as dance and art, have been taken online.
Youth and family outreach and family violence counselling are running through telephone and video link for young people and their families who have experienced family violence.
Ms Higgins said the current Covid-19 situation helped confirm the importance of personal and social networks within the community.
“The time we are in is a reminder of the value of each other and the value of community. There’s been such great things coming out of the local community, there’s been a number of programs online saying give us a call if you need help or post here if you need help,” she said.
“The local community in this area are strong and have a really good way of networking with each other and helping each other out.
“Whilst we’re not meeting physically, we can still keep in touch and we’re happy for you to contact us.”
Neighbourhood House Week runs from 8-15 May. To keep up to date, visit Cockatoo Community House on Facebook or email cch@taskforce.org.au.
