We believe that building stronger communities is one of the best ways to reduce social and economic disadvantage and that community building is one way to achieve this aim. "Community building" is about supporting people to take steps to find solutions to issues within their own communities.
How we work with communities
Our community projects all look different as the work itself is guided by each local community. However, there are some common principles:
- Working in partnership – with local residents, government and non-government organisations and others who are able or want to be involved
- Focusing on community strengths – this means building on what communities have rather than what is lacking
- Supporting the community – to develop locally identified strategies guided by the community itself
Read about the work we are doing with Central Coast communities through our Central Coast Community Action Program.
Service networks
We also work with service networks to improve service provision and coordination for children and families. The Central Coast Networks of Practice project brings workers together to focus on sharing ideas, experience and approaches, with the aim of improving services and outcomes for families with young children.
Children and families
We know from research and our own experience that children are happier and safer when they have positive relationships with their families, schools and communities. We work with communities in Eastern Sydney, South West Sydney and on the NSW Central Coast to help them meet the locally identified needs of families with young children. Find out more about the Communities for Children initiative and the Woolloomooloo Community Connector Project.
Resources and research
- "Stories from the Coast" is a special publication to celebrate five years of community work on the Central Coast.
- What constitutes child friendly communities and how are they built? Read our paper prepared for the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY).
- Read another paper written for ARACY about practical strategies for building pathways to community participation.
- Read the latest practice journal Central Coast Practice Xchange and the magazine Family Net-Works for workers on the Central Coast.
- Download our research report: Community Building and Health: Lessons from two communities on the NSW Central Coast.
- Find out about a new research project Families on the Fringe, focusing on young families relocating to non-metropolitan areas.