
North Ringwood Community House is a community learning centre, located in Ringwood North. I was a former board member of the organisation and today I was invited to speak at the annual general meeting to discuss volunteering and community participation.
North Ringwood Community is the only community house with registered training organisation status in Maroondah. The house provides a range of classes, including courses in Certificates III and IV, providing employability skills in a community based environment.
Similarly, North Ringwood Community House also provides a range of social, arts and craft courses providing social interaction and support. Community houses support an inclusive community through pathways into education and social connections.
One of the avenues of furthering an inclusive community is through volunteering and providing opportunities to gain and develop skills. I discussed the activities of Eastern Volunteers and the role the organisation undertakes in placing people in other community organisations.
Community organisations can extend their outcomes and reach through working with others to complement their services.