The Upper Hutt community has a special present this Christmas - increased access to local social services, with a particular emphasis on those that assist families.
The Exchange is a virtual hub of services aimed at supporting people in need, and allows for local delivery of a greater range of programmes. “There have been a number of barriers to Upper Hutt people accessing support in situations such as family violence.” says Andrea Curtis, Community Services Manager at Upper Hutt City Council.
“The Exchange is not intended to prevent people from accessing groups directly. Rather, it fills the gap where people simply do not know where they can go to get assistance locally. Anybody can contact The Exchange, and confidential, free advice and information about what your choices are will be on offer,” she said.
From the community-led discussions, the idea of a “service hub” grew, with Presbyterian Support Central offering their Family Centre facility as a physical base from which a variety of programmes and groups could operate.
“This project is an excellent example of NGO’s and Statutory Government Organisations collaborating together to ensure the citizens of Upper Hutt receive a client lead service”, said Julia Hennessy, General Manager Family Works at Presbyterian Support Central.
The formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the parties is on Monday the 17th December at the Mayors office. The Exchange will be fully operational from February 2008.
The Upper Hutt City Council is proud to have lead this initiative which other Councils have shown a great deal of interest in as a progressive and positive model of Social Service delivery.
