COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE

Whittlesea City Council Partnerships And Stakeholder Engagement Team

Epping Community Services Hub

Back in 2014, a Human Services Needs Analysis reviewed what services were available to people living in Whittlesea, what services were missing, and what services would be required in the future. The analysis identified a significant need for additional service provision but also a lack of infrastructure to service this provision.

The recommendation was for Council to facilitate the expansion of service providers in the area, maximise the use of appropriate Council facilities for service provision, and work with partners to develop innovative and collaborative service delivery models. With strategic planning and research pointing out the need for a health and wellbeing hub, the Epping Community Services Hub was born.

The hub is a supportive environment for organisations to deliver their important community health services, where residents had once otherwise had to travel long distances to access community services or do without altogether. The sustainable hub is maintained by partner organisations paying annual desk rental which is inclusive of office furniture, WiFi, phones, printers, meeting and consultation rooms, outgoings, reception, and operational staff support (while maintaining rental fees that are at reduced levels to market value but sufficient to cover overall costs).

This shared space is an ongoing benefit for both the community and those serving them. It allows partner organisations to build and maintain productive interagency relationships and strong networks and gives them the capacity to respond to emerging and changing community needs and aspirations. The community meanwhile has better access to more services, are active participants in solutions to their needs, and now have a more positive experience engaging with these services.

Today, the hub is a unique, vibrant centre bringing together partner organisations delivering a range of services to the municipality. Unlike other hubs, it is much more than co-location of services; it was planned from the outset to be a common platform to facilitate community sector connections, including more innovation, networking, and collaboration leading to a higher level of quality, efficiency, and holistic service delivery by partner organisations.