Our Service Model
Our Service Model - How we create change
Frameworks
We use the following frameworks to think about health, helping and community development
Social Health
We recognise that health and wellbeing are driven by community wide social, economic, and environmental factors, not just what individuals do.
We work to address these ‘social determinants’ of health and wellbeing by encouraging change at a community wide level in a way that promotes health and prevents disease. Think social connections, community engagement and purpose driven activities which make people feel good.
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
We don’t focus on what the community lacks, we focus on the skills, passions, and assets already here. We are a platform for people to share what they can do. We are on the lookout for community skills, assets and opportunities.
Collective Impact (Partnership Model)
We believe no single agency can solve complex social issues and we seek to partner in all that we do. We believe that community needs, actions and outcomes should be mutually agreed.
We partner with community members, other health, education, social services, and the government to plan, act and evaluate our work.
Principles
We highlight the following principles in our work. We expect to be held accountable for these values.
We are Relationship-Based
We realise safe, reliable and honest relationships build trust in people and services. We prioritise getting to know you as a person and foster a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance to foster social connections and help you feel safe.
We respect Lived Experience
We value the expertise of those who have navigated through difficult life experiences, and have experience in how to find the help and support they need. We celebrate this expertise as much any other form of learning. You don’t need a degree to lead a course with us.
We are Trauma Sensitive
We aim to create a safe home base. We understand the high prevalence of trauma, and recognise trauma can exist across whole communities, as well as individually. We design our spaces and services to make them low pressure, easy to access and sensitive to previous negative experiences of health, government or community interactions.
Our Services are Community-Led & Co-Designed
We create our classes and events with participants. You help you co-design what you need with us. You are also welcome to advocate, lead and empower others with your ideas as your confidence and skills grow.
We are Person-Centred & Intentional
We meet people where they are, acknowledging their unique pace and goals. We create services and support around each unique individual, rather than asking people to ‘fit in’ to the programs we offer. Need accessibility help in any form to join in, just ask us and we’ll do our very best
Resources
We draw on a range of local resources to improve health, wellbeing and inclusion
A ‘Home’ base
We have great rooms and gardens at 1 Badger Creek Road. This is a safe and welcoming space to drop in for a cuppa and just say hi. When you’re ready you might like to join in on one of our activities.
Helpful people
Our Hub Coordinator- Shona helps facilitate connections, plan new projects, and supports our classes and activities
Our awesome volunteers help you find your class, keep our business running, help out in the garden
Our Board brings specialist leadership, management and other skills that means we can continue to provide safe, health promoting services across the community.
Multi-Purpose Assets
We have flexible spaces and equipment (digital, creative and practical) that can be used for a wide range of activities. Our rooms are available for community groups and business to use
Sustainable Funding
We receive a mix of government and philanthropic funding to support the work we do. We are also very grateful to community members and businesses who support us when they can.
A Partner Network
Our partnerships with a health and community services, and local government means we can provide integrated activities and support that meets the needs of local people. Our close partnerships are one of Healesville’s greatest assets
Practices & Activities
Our practices and activities are what we actually do to help participate in and connect to their local community
Connection first
We want our space to feel safe with no pressure to jump into anything. We have community lunches and social catch ups, we help you get to know us first so we can offer things which are right for you.
Community Projects & Events
We lead and participate in community activities which promote health and social inclusion. This includes markets, youth events, local festivals and more.
Peer Support & Health Activities
We have peer support groups that run creative, social and health activities. These groups are made up of people with a lived and living experience of things like mental health challenges, disability or caring. They are a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
We help facilitate peer-to-peer information exchange and skill swaps
Workshops & Classes
We offer pre-accredited ACFE training and workshops that build practical employability and life skills with small classes to make you feel safe and comfortable. We can help design these classes with your specific needs and skills in mind, just ask us!
Service Co-Location
We host community partners on site (e.g. employment, youth, health) to make it easier for you to access other services you might need. We also offer a ‘no wrong door’ meaning we will help you find the services or resources you need if we don’t have it here.
Venue Hire
We offer our big rooms and gardens to others so they can run meetings, training and events. Any money we receive goes straight back into our community programs and activities for people who are more vulnerable and less financially advantaged.
Outcomes
We don’t just run programs, classes and events, we are all about improving health and positive community change
For Individuals
We help increase confidence, agency, social connection, and tangible skills for learning, work and life. We share information, link people to services and resources they need and create a sense of community inclusion and participation.
For the Community
We work to create a stronger, more resilient and interconnected local community. We want bring different groups together and promote community health and inclusion. We help identify and advocate for local needs, and then help implement the changes required.
Systemic change:
We are intentionally working to change longstanding cultural and systemic barriers to participation for marginalised and isolated community groups. We prioritise supporting and learning from First Nations and other culturally diverse people, and those who have alternative abilities, or gender and sexual identities.
