This week, as we continue on our journey of Spreading the Good Stuff for community, we arrive at Echuca Neighbourhood House and find an inspirational group of people making a real difference.
Echuca Neighbourhood House (ENH), established more than 27 years ago, brings people together to connect, learn and contribute to their community through social, educational, recreational and support activities.
Importantly, ENH welcomes anyone through its door and creates opportunities for people to enrich their lives through connections they might not otherwise make.
Located in Echuca South, this diverse organisation provides a range of services, including no-interest loan programs and pre-accedited training opportunities, as well as health and wellbeing activities.
ENH’s most recent initiative, which you might have seen in the Riverine Herald, is providing access to free showers for homeless people at the Echuca Basketball Stadium, thanks to support from the Campaspe Shire.
ENH Manager Shan Keele explained how after a number of people came to the house looking for access to showers they felt the need to do something.
“We weren’t sure how it would go but we have been absolutely inundated with donations of toiletries and volunteers wanting to help,” Shan said.
“It’s been really heartwarming and a true testament to the beautiful community we live in and how much everyone wants to get involved and do their bit,” she said.
Shan acknowledged the amazing generosity of local businesses and organisations, such as the Echuca Moama Accommodation Association, who has provided a constant supply of toiletry packs to people who really need them.
Donations of soap, travel size shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, sanitary items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear and socks are still wanted to support the program, which currently runs two mornings a week.
ENH is a great example of the incredible work happening every day in Echuca Moama and by spreading the good stuff about its shower program we are hoping to shine a light on what this organisation is doing to support our community.
Whether it is hosting $2 lunches, computer and cooking courses, scrapbooking classes, meditation groups or a community garden, ENH is committed to responding to locally identified priorities and you can help them by donating products for the shower program to the Riv office at 270 Hare Street or at ENH at 261 High Street, Echuca.
Or if you would like to volunteer, or if you, or someone you know, would benefit from any of the services or programs offered touch base with Shan and her team on Monday to Thursday between 9am – 4.30pm, phone on 5482 6914 or visit www.enh.org.au for a full list of current programs.
Katie
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