Armidale Neighbourhood Centre Inc

The principal activities of the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre (ANC) during the year remained the same as previous years. These included providing information, assistance, referral, support and advocacy services to increased numbers of community members from our location in the Community Support Hub. Disadvantaged, vulnerable and struggling community members, the majority of whom have reported being negatively impacted by the increased cost of living, sought access to a number of services and programs delivered by the ANC team. Noticeable increases were recorded for housing challenges including affordability, arrears and terminations. Requests for food relief continue to escalate. Appointments for assistance with advocacy to electricity providers also continue to grow. The ANC team regularly assist community members to access the Aboriginal Funeral Transport Program, the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme, and the Rent Start Bond Loan program on behalf of the NSW Government. The amenities at the Community Support Hub, for which ANC has oversight, include showers, kitchenette, laundry, computers and an expanded drop in space. We are also the lead in the Community Street Garden working with volunteers to plant, harvest, distribute and educate interested community members in the value of growing and sharing their own produce. Each act as a gateway for social connection as well as providing community members with informal pathways to information, support and referral.