LifeHouse Care expands its community services at Urunga

LIFEHOUSE Care’s Urunga Pantry has been growing its offerings since moving into a new space within the village’s Lifehouse Church.

After relocating from the nearby arcade last spring to a larger space inside its Urunga church building, the team introduced complementary tea and coffee for customers.

“It went well, so we then introduced a morning tea every Thursday morning during Pantry opening hours between 10am and noon,” Community Pantry leader Kellie Small said.

“We have between 12 and 16 volunteers every Thursday morning, some of whom start very early picking up fruit and vegetables.”

Produce is donated by Fullers in Bellingen, Urunga Bakery and OzHarvest.

The atmosphere created is bustling and welcoming as more community members learn about the morning tea and join in: “especially more mature community members who could be feeling quite lonely and isolated as they get older.”

The team has recruited volunteers who play a social role at the informal café; lending an ear, listening and chatting.

The space has also welcomed the Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire Inc’s supported playgroup, which meets every second week.

Facilitated by the Early Childhood and Family Wellbeing Service, and led by Honey Cairns and Julia Brown, the group is growing.

“It gives the mums a chance to talk to [others] at the same stage in life,” Ms Small said.

The outdoor area is about to be fenced, creating an additional safe place for the children’s activities.

“And we’ve got plans for a little outside garden down the track where we could grow some herbs.”

It is also an opportunity for the Neighbourhood Centre to provide the mums with a wraparound service.

“If someone’s having a challenging time with their child or might need an early childcare nurse or help through Centrelink, Honey can support them through those different processes or put them in touch with someone else who can help them out.”

Ms Small acknowledged a special donation by Foodbank NSW and ACT, who gifted around 50 Mother’s Day bags containing feminine luxuries including perfume and moisturiser and skincare.

The beauty bags were distributed to mums in the area.

“Some of them told us they had never had such lovely items before; it was so rewarding to give them these treats.”

LifeHouse Care, founded in Coffs Harbour 30 years ago, provides crisis relief and assistance to locals experiencing hardship,

The core ‘businesses’ – Community Care, Pantries, combined Op Shops and The Hub – work hand in hand to provide personalised and practical connection and empowerment that help facilitate positive change.

LifeHouse Care operates seven food pantries across the Coffs Coast region serving locals low-cost groceries and products.

By Andrea FERRARI