Healthy Cities Illawarra held the Collective Impact training as part of their commitment to building better Communities for Children. The session introduced the new frameworks for community development whereby community vision and joint approaches are central.

This approach was behind the success of the Child Friendly by Design 2528 Project (CFbD) which saw the redevelopment and colourful revamp of Crew Park in Warilla.

Through community consultation and a fusion of community services Crew Park was identified as an area in the Shellharbour region that residents felt needed attention and improvement to better accommodate children and families.

Project coordinator Nikke Gladwin said the project was an example of how the “collective impact” framework could successfully achieve a desired outcome.

“We utilised that framework to deliver a project that met the aspirations of the community,” she said.

“Collective impact is a way of doing things. It’s about delivering better outcomes by various community services all coming together to work for the benefit of the community.

“Today’s meeting is about learning about this new approach and training for a new way of working in the community. Where we all work for a shared outcome.”

A wide range of individuals from government and non-governmental community groups as well as members of the local community attended the meeting.

Ms Gladwin said the future was bright for the 2528 project with high hopes to set it up as an incorporated organisation.

“We are really looking for volunteers and community-minded people for the next phase of the 2528 journey,” she said. Anyone interested in supporting the project can email Nikke at nikke@healthyillawarra.org.au or call on 4283 8111