Community Research
Research and Consultation
• Between 2003-2006, Emmanuel Christian Schools and Ministries schools identify gaps in regional family support services
• Community survey in October 2006 identifies welfare, support and counselling priorities
• Stakeholder and Partners Workshop in March 2007 confirmed service gaps and endorses Community Care Centre proposal
Unprecedented growth in recent years has meant that the demand for welfare and support services has outstripped supply. ABS data (2006) reveals that since 2001, Alexandrina has experienced :
• An 18.5% increase in total population
• A 42.6% increase in those over the age of 54
• A 14.7 % increase in the total number of families
• A 23.3% increase in the number of single parent families
The experience of Emmanuel Christian Schools and Ministries in local schools within the region over 20 years revealed high levels of family dysfunction and an unmet need for family support programs. A community survey undertaken in October 2006 confirmed that there is a need for services in the areas of – Health, Counselling, Support Groups, Relationships, Parenting and Life Skills.
A workshop to address the unmet needs for community services was held in March 2007 and attended by 42 service providers and community stakeholders. The workshop confirmed the perceived service gaps identified in the survey and endorsed the development of a Centre as a regional base for family support services and community development programs.
The subsequent design of the facility and proposed set of services were focused to address regional strategic directions by:
• Supporting capacity building , skills development and leadership amongst volunteers
• Encouraging community learning and the development of social enterprises