Media Contact: Vanessa Hegarty
0435 022 509
Media Release
JULIE COLLINS MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services
3 November 2010
New toolkit to help build community projects
Helping communities improve the safety and wellbeing of children will be easier
thanks to a new toolkit supported by the Gillard Government.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins, today launched a
guide to the toolkit at the national conference of Family Relationship Services
Australia in Melbourne.
Ms Collins said the toolkit would help more community groups follow in the footsteps
of Family Life’s Creating Capable Communities program.
“Setting up a new program that helps strengthen communities has its challenges but
the benefits for program participants and organisers are large,” Ms Collins said.
“Groups around Australia will benefit from the use of the toolkit which provides
support to families that need some extra help.”
Creating Capable Communities activities strengthen families and neighbourhoods to
improve the safety and wellbeing of children.
The Creating Capable Communities program has been funded by the Department of
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs since 2004. This
year, it will receive $102,500 from the Government’s Community Investment Program
to train volunteers and develop resources. The toolkit has been produced as part of
this partnership.
Key activities provide a focus for coming together, strengthening families and
promoting the wellbeing of children. The five focus areas are:
A breakfast club for school children, which demonstrates healthy eating and
facilitates referral to other services;
An after-school club, where children can participate in sport, craft activities
and get help with their homework;
Community houses, where playgroups, coffee and chat groups, craft and
cooking classes provide a welcoming environment for isolated families;
A community bubs program, promoting parent-child attachment;
The Creating Capable Leaders Project, informal training to develop
community leadership skills.
“While governments have a major role to play in supporting people in need of a
helping hand, nothing can replace the contribution of community groups and the paid
staff and dedicated volunteers who sustain them,” Ms Collins said.
NEWS 
