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Neighbourhood and Community House and Centre Week celebrates the incredible work happening in local communities across Australia. Every week, more than 400,000 people walk through the doors of an NCHC to access support, connection, and opportunity. This year the theme is 'Your Place to Connect', highlighting how over 1,000 NCHCs across the country provide welcoming spaces where everyone can come together, share experiences, learn, and support one another. From volunteering and community projects to casual conversations and learning new skills, these placed-based community hubs are the cornerstone of community development in Australia. Join us in celebrating NCHC Week by visiting your local House or Centre, attending events, sharing your story, or helping others get involved. Neighbourhood Community Houses and Centres are 'your place to connect'. Download the Fact Sheet to explore the growing impact of loneliness in Australia and the vital role our sector plays in responding to it. Houses and Centres respond to this challenge every day by creating inclusive, community-led spaces where people can connect, share meals, build relationships, and feel a sense of belonging. This is brought to life during NCHC Week through Australia’s Biggest Community-Led Lunch, where communities across the country come together over food to strengthen connection and belonging. Download the Fact Sheet As part of Neighbourhood Centre Week, we are attempting Australia's record for the 'Largest Community Led Lunch'. Throughout the week, Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres across Australia will host local lunches that bring people together to connect and celebrate community. Each participating NCHC will register the number of lunches they hold, contributing to a national total. Together, we will showcase the scale and impact of community led connection across Australia and celebrate the vital role Neighbourhood Houses play in strengthening local communities. The campaign will include: National media coverage: ANHCA is engaging a PR firm to maximise visibility and reach across media channels. Engagement with sponsors, government, and philanthropic partners to amplify support and impact. Data collection for impact: Participating houses can submit their meal counts, helping us demonstrate the reach of the initiative. Register to Get Involved Download the 'Record Guidelines' below for information to plan, run, and track their events during the week. Download the Guidelines Downloadable Tool Kits To support your involvement in NCHC Week and the World’s Largest Community-Led Lunch Initiative, ANHCA has developed a suite of ready-to-use templates and promotional resources. Each state-specific pack includes co-branded logos, social media tiles, and editable materials to help you promote your events with ease and consistency. Queensland New South Wales South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Included in the pack As well as the logo and state specific social media tiles, each pack contains the following resources, branded for Houses, Centres or Community Centres: I Love ... sign Give your members, guests, and event participants the opportunity to express why your House / Centre is important to them. Editable Weekly Schedule Promote your NHW events using the editable poster. Poster/Flyer Promote your NHW event using the editable poster/flyer. Photo Frame Template Add in your photos from NHW with this photo frame to share.

The Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) is the national peak body for Neighbourhood Houses and Centres in Australia. Australia's Largest Placed-Based Social Infrastructure ANHCA is the national peak body harnessing the collective strength of over 1,000 Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres (NCHCs) through six state sector peaks. See Our Work About NCHCs 1,069 400,000 NCHCs in our national network Australian's engage with NCHCs each week. We amplify, connect and grow the sector’s national impact. ANHCA sets a national standard of value, guidance, and leadership, connecting State Peak bodies and developing reach to members as one unified sector. By doing so, ANHCA empowers local communities to build capability, sustainability, driving collective impact and delivering growth. National Identity and Awareness Building Community Partnerships and Collaboration Sector Capacity Building Influence National Policy Robert Fitzgerald & Rosemary Kayess Australia’s Disability and Age Discrimination Commissioners "We strongly support Neighbourhood Centres being recognised and funded as a formal part of social infrastructure to deliver sustainable and flexible place based supports and solutions.They are capable of nurturing social connectedness and inclusion, offering valuable support to help people navigate complex care systems and providing locally based and flexible foundational and other supports."

$10,000 of grant funding available for Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres to tackle poverty and disadvantage. Strong & Resilient Communities (SARC) The Strong & Resilient Communities (SARC) grant program provides Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHCs) with the opportunity to access up to $15,000 to support the social and economic participation of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in their local communities within a 6-month period. Eligible projects will deliver group or individual services designed to improve participant wellbeing, social connection, resilience, independence, and life skills to: Support young people aged 12–18 who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from school, employment or training. Support people with disability to increase independence and participation in their community. Support unemployed individual s to build skills, networks and pathways to employment or education. Support vulnerable and disadvantaged women, including those experiencing social isolation or discrimination, to strengthen self-agency and engage in the community or economy. Read the 2025 Applicant Guidelines Summarised document of the Strong & Resilient Communities (SARC) Grant program eligibility requirements, application process etc. READ GUIDELINES Round 2! This round closed on Monday 1st December. *Strictly no late submissions, note that 5pm closing time is in AEDT time. Register for the info session | Wednesday 12th November 1PM AEDT Download the 2025 Program Guidelines Download the Assessment Rubric Download the Participant Survey (PREVIEW ONLY)* * this PDF form is for preview purposes only, it may assist your planning process. The online acquittal will be emailed out. Download the Progress Report (PREVIEW ONLY)* * this PDF form is for preview purposes only, it may assist your planning process. The online acquittal will be emailed out. Download the Acquittal Form (PREVIEW ONLY)* * this PDF form is for preview purposes only, it may assist your planning process. The online acquittal will be emailed out. Download the Application Form (PREVIEW ONLY)* * this PDF form is for preview purposes only, it may assist your planning process. Click the below for the online application. Download the Budget Template * this PDF form is for preview purposes only, it may assist your planning process. Click the below for the online application. Now Closed Reporting 1. Progress report due 3 months into the acitvity. Access the online form here . 2. Final acquittal is due upon completion of the activity, and no later than six months from its commencement. Access the online form here . Both forms should only take 15-20 minutes to complete and will automatically be emailed to ANHCA upon completion. All funded organisations under the SARC grant are required to collect basic participant data. This information helps the Department of Social Services (DSS) better understand who is accessing these programs and informs broader policy development. How to Submit Data: ANHCA has provided an online data collection survey which you can access here to be completed for each participant when they first engage with your program. A PDF version of the form can be accessed here for participants who cannot complete the survey online. If you choose to print and use the manual (PDF) form, please ensure that the participant details are later entered into the online form. This only takes a few minutes per participant, as only basic demographic information is required. Data should be collected and entered on an ongoing basis throughout the project to avoid backlog. Reminders will be sent on a regular basis to ensure all participant data is up to date. ANHCA will collate and upload all participant data to the DSS Data Exchange (DEX) on your behalf. The DEX system automatically de-identifies the data, ensuring participants’ personal information is protected.

Sustainable Development Goals The 17 Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations are urgent call to action by all countries to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Neighbourhood and community houses and centres across Australia work towards these goals everyday. From food parcel programs to outreach programs to disadvantaged members of our community. We are the heart of our community. Training for the SDGs is on our SDG's for Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres page In Partnership with 1/1

Why it matters What we are doing About the goal Our targets About the Goal About Life below water is a crucial sustainable development goal as it works to conserve and sustainably use the world's oceans, seas and marine resources. Maintaining healthy oceans supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. However the ocean is threatened by increasing levels of debris, which has huge impacts upon the environment, biodiversity and the economy. The ocean is such an important part of Australias livelihood as, much of Australia relies on the ocean for living and working, with much of our tourism industry relying on our beaches and Great Barrier Reef. Why it Matters 20% of the worlds reefs are destroyed without recovery >3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods 40% of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution Why What Neighbourhood Houses & Centres are doing Neighbourhood Houses and Centres work towards meeting life below water through employing sustainable environmental practices that reduce run-off and pollution which impact upon our water ways. Houses and centres across Australia use water tanks to promote sustainable water usage and grow organic gardens that reduce water consumption and run-off. Our Targets Tragets What

Why it matters What we are doing About the goal Our targets About the Goal About This goal aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Due to a rapidly changing global economic landscape and increasing inequalities, sustained growth of industry must by supported by innovation and resilient infrastructure. Economic growth, social development and climate action are heavily dependent on investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development and technological progress. Why it Matters 2.5 million are not connected to the internet due to affordability, location or digital literacy Increase 10% Electricity prices increase 10% annually for household 80% of energy generated in Australia is sourced from fossil fuels Why What Neighbourhood Houses & Centres are doing Neighbourhood Houses and Centres work primarily in the infrastructure sector of this goal, as houses/ centres offer spaces that the community can use publicly and privately. Additionally, many Houses/ Centres provide consultations and information sessions on infrastructure. The way in which we are working towards this goal includes, but not limited to is: Community consultation Room hire VicRoads Childcare Auspice other community organisations Disaster relief & recovery Grant writing support Our Targets Targets What

Our Donors Philanthropic giving is more than supporting the work of today, it strengthens the capacity of our sector to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Funding provided to ANHCA is an investment in the long-term sustainability of NCHCs nationwide, ensuring they remain a strong foundation for communities for generations to come. We sincerely thank all donors for their generosity and commitment. Your support empowers our sector to continue making a meaningful, lasting impact across Australia. Our Partners Our sector is a network of over 1,000 agile, front-line responders that are able to act quickly, reach vast communities, and continue support well beyond immediate response periods. Our partnerships already demonstrate this reach and agility. Adult Learning Australia (education and skills) Mental health services and aged care Family violence support Universities (student placements – psychologists) Crisis response (COVID RAT/mask distribution, disaster relief) NDIS and disability services Administering government grants (e.g. DSS Strong & Resilient Communities)

About the Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres Sector Neighbourhood houses and centres are community-based organisations that provide local, inclusive spaces for people to connect, learn, and access services. These centres are deeply embedded within the communities they serve. In many rural and regional areas, they are the only point of contact for people facing housing insecurity, isolation, family violence, and other complex issues. Their work is shaped by the communities themselves and delivered by staff and volunteers who live locally, giving them a unique capacity to respond quickly to changing local needs. As trusted hubs, NCHCs are often the first to know when something is going wrong in a community, and the first to act in times of crisis. _Q2A8312-Edit (1) Screenshot 2025-10-01 131447 Describe your image IMG_7159 Describe your image _Q2A8312-Edit (1) 1/9 Placed-Based Community Hubs The cornerstone of community development in Australia Every week, more than 400,000 people walk through the doors of an NCHC to access support, connection, and opportunity. From Centrelink and NDIS access, to emergency relief, social inclusion programs, digital literacy training, health and wellbeing groups, and employment pathways, NCHCs offer a flexible, community-driven model that meets people where they are

Why it matters What we are doing About the goal Our targets About the Goal About Everybody should have enough money or resources for the basic needs of life – enough food for oneself and for one’s family; a roof over one’s head; and resources to cover clothing, education and health expenses. Poverty has many dimensions, but its causes include unemployment, social exclusion, and high vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases and other phenomena which prevent them from being productive. Growing inequality is detrimental to economic growth and undermines social cohesion, increasing political and social tensions and, in some circumstances, driving instability and conflicts. Why it Matters 3.25 million Australians live below the poverty line 700,000 of those are children under 15 60% of people on Youth Allowance live below the poverty line Why What Neighbourhood Houses & Centres are doing It is hard to pinpoint exactly how Neighbourhood houses and centres work towards No Poverty because it is so deeply ingrained in our day to day operations. We work towards this goal without even realising it. Across our houses you will typically see food parcels being available to vulnerable members of our community, healthy and nutritious lunches that bring the community together, programs that help people find financial independence. At a state and national level we are championing the raise the rate campaign and lobbying ministers for a change in reform. Targets What Localising the SDGs No Poverty Speakers Mary Wooldridge: Former LNP Minister for Mental Health, Community Services, Disability and Womens Affairs Dr Jemery Baskin: Fellow, Melbourne School of Government and Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne Minna Yikanno, Head of Research team at Kela Dalal Smiley - CEO Wellsprings or Women (VIC) Gaelle Gouillou- CEO Spiers Centre (WA) Our Targets

Why it matters What we are doing About the goal Our targets About the Goal Goal 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns to reduce environmental degradation. If we do not act to change our consumption and production patterns, we will cause irreversible dam-age to our environment. There are many aspects of consumption that with simple changes can have a big impact on society as a whole. For example, about one third of the food produced for human consumption each year is lost or wasted. Not only with responsible consumption and production can we reduce our environmental impact but we can divert wasted resources to where they are needed most. By recycling and donating clothing we reduce the amount of water used to make garments and stop them going to landfill while simultaneously reducing poverty. About Why it Matters 3 planets In 2050, almost 3 planets are required to sustain current lifestyles. $1 trillion worth of food ends up in bins - one third of all food produced 0.5% of the worlds water is accessible and drinkable for people What Neighbourhood Houses & Centres are doing Neighbourhood Houses and Centres work towards promoting responsible consumption and product through partnering with food saving companies such as Second Bite, to redistribute perfectly good food that would have gone to landfill to families in need. Some houses and centres also offer fix it services, where people can take broken items to be fixed by members of the House/ Centre, instead of buying a new item. By promoting responsible consumption and production we also minimise poverty within the community. Our Targets Targes What Why

About Us Australia's Largest Placed-Based Social Infrastructure We work in partnership with six state-based peak bodies and are also a member of the International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres, the global peak for place-based work. Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based advocacy, and place-based approaches, ANHCA sets a national standard of value, guidance, and leadership, connecting State Peak bodies and developing reach to members as one unified sector. By doing so, ANHCA empowers local communities to build capability, sustainability, driving collective impact and delivering growth. ANHCA's purpose is to contribute to national policy, promote the sector's national identity, enhance quality and skills, and support the activity and work of neighbourhood houses and community centres in Australia. We amplify the collective voice of NCHCs to shape national policy, funding priorities, and program design, ensuring place-based community solutions are recognised and resourced. Our Purpose We amplify the voice and impact of Australia's Neighbourhood House and Centre sector by driving policy influence, building sector capacity, and championing place-based approaches to create a stronger, more connected and resilient sector. Together, we champion place-based community development, amplifying local voices and expertise to build a just, equitable, resilient and inclusive Australia. Our Vision Strategic Objectives Sector Capacity Building Develop targeted training, resources, and support programs to enhance the skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities of neighbourhood house and centre staff and volunteers, improving service quality and community impact. National Identity and Awareness Implement a comprehensive and consistent communications strategy to promote the neighbourhood house and centre sector's national identity, values, and achievements, increasing public awareness and recognition of the sector's contributions to Australian communities. Data-Driven Decision Making Establish a robust data collection and analysis framework to track the sector's impact, outcomes, and trends, informing evidence-based policy advocacy, sector development, and resource allocation. Influence National Policy Strengthen ANHCA's advocacy efforts to ensure the neighbourhood house and centre sector's voice is represented in national policy discussions, driving systemic change and resource allocation to support community development. Community Partnerships and Collaboration Foster strategic partnerships between the State Peak bodies, government agencies, businesses, and other community organisations to leverage resources, expertise, and funding, driving collaborative solutions to local challenges.

Why it matters What we are doing About the goal Our targets About the Goal About This goal aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all. With water scarcity impacting more than 40% of the worlds population, it is vital to conserve clean water wherever we can. Australia is an extremely lucky country, but we often experience significant drought and a long fire season, accessible and fresh water is crucial to overcoming these natural disasters. Why it Matters 48% water storage levels are at 48 per cent of capacity down from 55% Most Australians have access to clean water & sanitation, however remote Indigenous communities struggle to meet water standards 80% of household water goes to waste Why What Neighbourhood Houses & Centres are doing Neighbourhood Houses and Centres work towards meeting clean water and sanitation by employing grey water systems to flush toilets and water garden beds and the collection of rain water through innovative roof designs. We all rely on clean water and sanitation, by incorporating water saving and recycling practices we ensure that more people have access to this vital resource. Our Targets Target What