Advocacy priorities
An important role of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is to advocate on behalf of the Neighbourhood House sector to achieve outcomes that:
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protect the future sustainability of the sector
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ensure Neighbourhood Houses are considered and/or included in future policy decisions
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provide Neighbourhood Houses with opportunities to reach their potential as community development leaders
Here are the some of the key areas where we prioritise our advocacy efforts and project work.
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Neighbourhood House Coordination Program and other funding streams
Most Neighbourhood Houses receive core funding through the Victorian State Government’s Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP). Our aim is to ensure this funding adequately matches the cost of service delivery. We also advocate for Neighbourhood Houses who do not currently receive NHCP funding to become NHCP funded.
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We also seek other avenues which brings funding into the sector through project partnerships and grant programs.
Adult education
Around 180 Neighbourhood Houses provide adult community education that is subsided through the Adult Community Further Education (ACFE) Board. These organisations are known as Learn Local providers, offering pre-accredited training and support to vulnerable learner cohorts. Around 23 of these are also Registered Training Organisations which offer accredited training. Our aim is to ensure operating adult education is sustainable for Neighbourhood Houses, and ensuring all Victorians have access to affordable, alternative and flexible training options.
Early childhood services
​Around 90 Neighbourhood Houses provide early childhood services such as childcare, kindergarten and after hours care. In an area subject to frequent regulatory and funding changes, ensuring the needs of small providers are considered in decision making is important across both federal and state authorities.
Loneliness and Mental Health
Loneliness and social isolation are leading causes of poor mental health in our communities. Neighbourhood Houses should be recognised as places that combat this important issue, by providing inclusive social and recreational activities and volunteering opportunities.
Environment sustainability
We support community action on climate change and Neighbourhood Houses adopting sustainable practices in their programs and general operations.
Digital literacy
As society becomes more and more reliant on digital technology to connect, accesses services and conduct business, we need to ensure that certain cohorts of our community, such as older people or people with disabilities, don’t get left behind.
Poverty and disadvantage
This includes advocating on areas such as food security, pathways to employment and training, access to financial wellbeing services and advocating for improved rates of Government income support.
Gender equity
Being a sector which is predominately female-dominated, Neighbourhood Houses have the potential to be leaders in their communities for gender equity. This includes continuing to support women in leadership roles, people experiencing domestic violence, and participation of girls and women in activities traditionally occupied by men.
How we advocate
Advocacy isn’t just about big, flashy campaigns and petitions. It happens all the time through the work we do on a weekly basis.
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Importantly, our advocacy work and approach are informed by a broad range of considerations to ensure we use the optimal approach for any situation. We look to maximise the chance of success while minimising the burden advocacy can place on Neighbourhood Houses.
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As part of this process, we undertake a detailed situational and risk analysis recognising that success usually requires an alignment of multiple variables in our favour. For example, the DFFH submits an annual submission to State Government through the Minister as part of a budget bid. NHVic works to ensure the Department and Minister understand and consider the sectors needs in this process as the chance of success increases when all these players are on the same page as the sector. For significant funding bids, other factors like the state of the economy and Government economic imperatives and other competing priorities are considered.
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Timing is another key consideration. While elections generally present an opportunity to be heard, it is not always the case that our chance of success increases. By maintaining strong and robust relationships with decision makers NHVic is better informed about Government objectives and economic priorities which can provide insight on timing but also can suggest other opportunities for strengthening our sector.
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With over 400 Neighbourhood Houses across the state and the NHCP approaching $40 million as a budget item, relatively small changes can have a significant impact. NHVic undertakes modelling to understand the cost impacts of various approaches to a single issue.
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So, at any given time, NHVic is employing multiple advocacy strategies across multiple areas of Neighbourhood House activity to progress the interests of member Neighbourhood Houses.
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Here are some of the ways Neighbourhood Houses Victoria continually advocates on behalf of the sector:
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We consult regularly with our membership on issues impacting the sector through visits, surveys, forums and working groups
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We maintain strong stakeholder relationships and meet regularly with relevant State Government Departments, Ministers and their Offices
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We organise for Ministers to visit Neighbourhood Houses to see their work first-hand and invite Ministers to participate in our sector events
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We administer the annual Neighbourhood House Survey which provides the valuable data we need to demonstrate the sector’s value, as well as providing data to support individual houses and their own advocacy
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We provide support to Neighbourhood Houses on their local advocacy needs and offer professional development to Neighbourhood Houses on how to advocate effectively
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We write submissions to relevant enquiries and consultations
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We form collaborative partnerships with other organisations where our advocacy priorities align
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We participate on working groups such as in the areas of volunteering and adult community education
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We work closely with the community services sector peak body, the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS)
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At a national level, we are a member and provide administrative and strategic support to the national peak body, Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA)