Community Programs
Supporting healthier, happier and more connected communities through local local health and wellbeing programs.
Community health matters
Our Community Programs team works with community members like you to support your health and wellbeing needs with a focus on healthy eating, building social connections, and gender equity.
Our community Many of our wonderful group participants are active in shaping our services and facilities. Read more about our communities experiences below.
Fees We are pleased to offer free or low cost services to many clients. Fees are assessed based on income.
For more information, see our Fees page.
Our groups We have a number of groups running at any given time. See a list of our groups below.
Youth Health Services
Our Youth and Community Worker supports young people aged 12-25 years old individually and in groups to identify their needs and goals for a meaningful and fulfilling life. They are based at the Darebin Youth Hub at Northland Shopping Centre for drop-ins on Tuesdays from 12:30pm-5pm and a local school weekly.
Our Place, Our Purpose
Our Place Our Purpose is a community project for East Preston and East Reservoir residents. It has a special focus on people living in public housing and people who are from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, particularly newly arrived communities such as refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and international students.
This project aims to:
- build community connections
- improve social and emotional wellbeing
- celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity.
This project is done in partnership with Darebin Information, Volunteer & Resource Service (DIVRS) and Darebin Council.
If you live in East Preston or East Reservoir and would like to join the Our Place Our Purpose Advisory Group, please contact us by phone, (03) 8470 1111 or email, info@yourch.org.au.
Eat Well, Live Well
Eat Well, Live Well is a new program that will support better health and wellbeing for Darebin community members. The project activities will be discussed and decided upon with input from community members, as part of a co-design process.
The project will:
- Increase participants’ access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food
- Teach participants how to find and enjoy healthier food options
- Teach participants how to prepare and cook meals
- Help community members connect and build friendships
- Help participants explore local volunteering and employment opportunities
- Build participants’ confidence and self-esteem
- Support access to health and community services.
This project is done in partnership with Housing Choices Australia, Neami and DIVRS.
Arabic Social Group
The Arabic Social Group brings Arabic-speaking community members together monthly for fun, local activities to build community connections and friendships.
The Group also offers a warm welcome to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers who want to get to know their fellow residents and community.
Participants are also supported to access our health and social support programs to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Our participants have great things to say about the Group:
“I can’t wait to see the members of the social group every time I feel like we’re one family.”
“Thank you for everything I wish for every day together with the group.”
“I can’t wait to see the members every time. Thank you from my heart to everyone.”
Growing the Rainbow Village
Growing the Rainbow Village builds upon the success of our Rainbow Village project, offering all members of the LGBTIQA+ community a safe space to plan and deliver inclusive and affirming activities and events in Darebin.
The project offers an especially warm welcome to anyone who is experiencing, exclusion, isolation or loneliness, and bring participant’s together to build a strong sense of community and connection.
Growing the Rainbow Village is proudly supported by Darebin Council through its community grants program.
If you are a member of the LGBTIQA+ community and would like to find out more of be involved in Rainbow Village, please contact us by phone, (03) 8470 1111 or email, info@yourch.org.au.
Our success stories and resources
Rebuilding Together – Community, Cooking & Connection Project brought Arabic-speaking community members together through healthy and culturally appropriate food choices.
From grocery shopping and cooking workshops to a cultural event and emergency food relief, the project helped the local Arabic community live healthier and happier lives.
This project was delivered in partnership with Victorian Arabic Social Services, and funded by the Victorian Government.
We Love Songs! brought Darebin parents and their young children together with musicians to sing and create their own songs.
Participants shared stories, dances and songs passed down through their cultures and families. They also composed their own songs to help with everyday parenting such as ‘Time to Get Dressed’ and ‘New Foods on Your Plate Today’.
The project was inspired by Banyule Community Health’s innovative We Love Stories, and funded by North East Healthy Communities.
Call to speak to one of our friendly staff today!
Related Services
Our Community Programs team works with community members like you to support your health and wellbeing needs with a focus on healthy eating, building social connections, and gender equity.
Our expert dental team are here to help keep your teeth healthy, help prevent oral health problems and provide high quality treatment when needed. Our clinic is open to everyone. You may be eligible for prioritised or subsidised services.