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The speaker at our last meeting was Arna Smith, the Coordinator at the Milton Community Hub. Arna shared with us the remarkable growth of the support services provided at the hub that has occurred over the past two year. In 2017-18 the hub attracted 830 clients and 1154 visitors; in 2018-19 these numbers rose to 1654 clients and 2800 visitors. Arna suggested some of the reasons for this remarkable increase - there is now more openness about mental health; in 2016 the hub offered 2 services whereas in 2019 there are now 20 services offered at the hub. Examples o these services are: Oranga Tamariki, Stopping Violence Dunedin, Community Otagp Law, ACC Counselling, Probation, Stop Smoking, Support Advocacy Social Services, Adventure Development, Mirror HQ, Well South, Plunket, Family Works - Budget Advice. ) Arna identifies two of the major issues within our town are housing and poverty from seasonal work. On Tuesdays a free market of bread and vegetables, donated from supermarkets, is held at the Hub and people are starting to come in and come back. A stall of children’s clothing is also a feature of the hub. Also based at the Hub is the Project Bruce team of Kim Schilling (Community Development worker) and Catherine Paul (Sustainability Projects Coordinator). Together this amazing group of young women provide a programme of workshops and support for our community. Thank you to Arna for taking the time to speak to us and share the success of what is happening at the Milton Community Hub. We encourage all our members to pop in the hub and meet the lovely team - I am sure you will be welcomed for a cuppa and a chat. |
