Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania joins MI Fellowship

Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania is very excited to be joining MI Fellowship in partnership in the Grassroots Mental Health Project, which is today being launched by the Health Minister Michael Ferguson at Dorset Neighbourhood House in Scottsdale.

The Grassroots Mental Health Project is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services at $75 000 a year over four years, and delivers on a pre-election commitment by the Government. It aims to strengthen local communities by supporting the staff and volunteers in Neighbourhood Houses who regularly see people who maybe experiencing mental illness accessing the services and programs available in the Houses.

NHT Executive Officer John Hooper said many neighbourhood houses are based in regional communities and provide a great first point of contact for people who have been experiencing isolation or stigma due to mental illness.

“We are excited that this project will help us, our staff and many volunteers to have a deeper understanding of people experiencing mental illness, but also it is our volunteers themselves who are experiencing mental health issues,” he said. “The project will assist our staff and volunteers know what specialist services and supports are available for further support.”

“Sometimes reconnecting with the community can be difficult for people who have experienced mental illness. Houses provide a safe, respectful and welcoming place to regain confidence, and rebuild those connections, and this support will help our volunteers and staff be more confident and supportive when local people are experiencing mental health issues,” said Mr Hooper.

MI Fellowship Tasmanian Regional Manager John Edwards said he was pleased to be in Scottsdale for the launch and to be working in partnership with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania and Neighbourhood Houses across the state on this important project.

“Often there are few specialist services located in the regional, rural and suburban communities where Neighbourhood Houses are based and they are a vital link in connecting people with services and providing meaningful opportunities to participate in the community.”

Mr Edwards said delivering evidence based workshops that provide an understanding of mental health and mental illness would be the first step in this process.

Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania represents 35 Neighbourhood Houses located in disadvantaged and isolated communities across Tasmania – from Zeehan to St Helens,
Street Address: Shop 14, 113 Main Road, Moonah Tasmania 7009 Postal Address: PO Box 169 Moonah Tasmania 7009

Ph: 6228 6515 Fax: 6228 6585 Web: www.nht.org.au. ABN: 95 897 499 497

Ravenswood to Clarendon Vale. Neighbourhood Houses bring local people together to look at what opportunities or needs exist in their community, and then, more importantly, work together on doing something about it.

Our focus is bringing local people together to solve issues locally. They are run by the community for the community. We aren’t about outside experts coming in to “fix” our communities. We ask ourselves what do we love about our community that we want to celebrate, what are the problems facing our community AND what can WE together do to address them. The Minister, on behalf of the State Government, has today confirmed with this investment in our partnership with MI Fellowship, that our grass roots local organisations are crucial partners in creating a thriving and healthy Tasmania.
We can’t thank them enough for this support!
John Hooper (Executive Officer) Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania