The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be widespread. Many of us have witnessed the profound impact it has made within our community for individuals, businesses, and community groups.
To best support our community members affected by COVID-19, Council is proud to announce the latest Hobsons Bay Community Has Heart (HBCHH) initiative – the Virtual Hub. The Virtual Hub will be on four wheels until the end of June as a 'Roving Hub'.
Trained Council staff and volunteers will visit a wide range of spaces and community events around Hobsons Bay to provide mobile outreach for people within the community. This will involve friendly catch-ups with community members, providing a safe space to discuss how they've been impacted by COVID-19, as well as a space to discuss how Council can continue to support community members experiencing social isolation and loneliness and the support options that are available for residents or someone they know.
The hub will support social inclusion and connection, provide opportunities for community involvement and is the central point for individuals or businesses to register donations and expressions of interest for volunteering.
The Virtual Hub also features the Community Connector, a program that links people with local service providers and networks that can help them with food, medical supplies, counselling and other services.
The Virtual and Roving Hub follows Council's three COVID-19 community support packages rolled out in the last 12 months that have assisted some of the city's most vulnerable residents and businesses. These support packages dedicated almost $2 million to local businesses and the local economy, provided ongoing support for our older and vulnerable communities, promoted recreation and ways to maintain personal wellbeing and assisted local businesses with financial and network assistance. A $500,000 COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program for our residents was also announced and over $150,000 went into supporting our local sporting clubs and community groups.
Registrations of interest for the Virtual 'Roving Hub' to visit your area are now open.
Keep up to date with Hobsons Bay's Community Has Heart Virtual Hub. Visit https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-services/Hobsons-Bay-Community-has-Heart-Virtual-Hub for more.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden
"The Virtual Hub is a wonderful way to provide ongoing support to our community members in need. We have all been deeply affected by COVID-19 in some way or another and many people aren't sure whom or where to turn to for help. The Virtual Hub will be a one-stop shop for everything COVID-19 support-related and will soon be coming to a suburb near you!"
