Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
Tagline goes here!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • instagram
Member's area Find a house
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Strategic direction
    • Our team
      • Staff
      • Board
      • Nominate to the NHVic Board
    • Annual Report
    • Our history
    • Contact us
  • What we do
    • Advocacy
      • Advocacy for Learn Local funding
      • 2022 NHCP funding advocacy
      • Advocacy priorities
      • How we advocate
      • Submissions
    • Research
      • Research publications
      • Connecting a Diverse Victoria Report
      • Annual survey
      • Annual Survey Resources
    • Information and advisory services
    • Professional development
    • Annual conference
    • Awards program
    • Projects
      • Power Saving Bonus Outrach Program
      • No Interest Loans
      • Carer Friendly
      • Safe Seats Safe Kids
      • National Science Week
      • Victoria Alive
      • Be Connected
      • Ask an Expert: Webinar Series for Unpaid Carers
  • Neighbourhood Houses
    • About Neighbourhood Houses
      • What are they?
      • What are their benefits?
      • Key stats
    • Find a Neighbourhood House
    • Sector principles
    • Networks
    • Job opportunities
  • Become a member
    • Why become a member?
    • Membership types
  • FAQs
  • News and events
    • News
    • COVID-19 information and resources
    • Neighbourhood House Week
    • Annual conference
    • Galleries
    • In the media
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. What we do
  2. Advocacy

Advocacy priorities

An important role of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is to advocate on behalf of the Neighbourhood House sector to achieve outcomes that:
  • protect the future sustainability of the sector
  • ensure Neighbourhood Houses are considered and/or included in future policy decisions
  • 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:

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.

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 40 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.

Published: 3rd July, 2021

Updated: 13th July, 2022

Author: Petro T

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Director ID FAQ

    Who needs a director ID

  • National Science Week

    National Science Week

    The Royal Society of Victoria (RSV) in partnership with NHVic offer grant funding to Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres around Victoria to produce, advertise and deliver events for National Science Week every year in August.

  • Power Saving Bonus Materials are now available in 14 Additional Languages

    Power Saving Bonus Materials are now available in 14 Additional Languages

  • Ask an Expert: Webinar Series for Unpaid Carers

    Ask an Expert: Webinar Series for Unpaid Carers

Related

  • 2022 NHCP funding advocacy

    2022 NHCP funding advocacy

    With the Victorian State Election taking place in November, we are advocating for a fair, permanent increase to NHCP funding, as almost half of the sector experiences the threat of funding cuts in two years time.

  • 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.

Most read

  • Find a Neighbourhood House

  • Job opportunities

    Job opportunities

    Want to work in the Neighbourhood House sector? See a list of current job vacancies at Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.

  • Industrial relations

    Industrial relations

    Includes agreements and awards, paytables and long service leave.

  • COVID-19 information and resources

    COVID-19 information and resources

    We are committed to supporting our members in responding to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

  • Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Find out how to access the State Government's $250 Power Saving Bonus at a Neighbourhood House.

  • What is a Neighbourhood House?

    What is a Neighbourhood House?

    Neighbourhood Houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute to their local community.

  • Member's area

  • List of neighbourhood houses via Local Government area

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    As the peak body for the Neighbourhood House sector, we represent a membership of close to 400 community-based organisations across Victoria.

  • Good Shepherd's No Interest Loans

    Good Shepherd's No Interest Loans

    We are helping people on low incomes access safe, fair, affordable credit with no fees and charges applied, for essential goods and services.

Join our mailing list

Get the latest updates straight to your inbox.


Name:


Email:


Helpful links

  • Search
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Board Area

Address

Shop B41
Level 4 744 Bourke Street
Docklands VIC, 3008

(03) 9602 1228
[email protected]

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • instagram

We appreciate the ongoing support of the Victorian State Government.

 
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Victoria. We pay our respects to their spirits, ancestors, elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members past, present and emerging.

© 2022 Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Inc.