Fridays news feature in the The Guardian featuring Wardell CORE

"Nearly a year on from the February 2022 flood event that devastated the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, community organisations say people’s basic needs are still not being met – and the area’s problems are becoming more complex."

We are thrilled to have been a part of the essential research undertaken and funded by the Northern Rivers Community Foundation focussing on the region's critical housing crisis and look forward to being an active stakeholder in seeking solutions.

You can read the full report here : www.nrcf.org.au/our-impact/research

"The Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) this month released a community research paper, Housing and Homelessness in a Flood Recovery, which offers insights and solutions for the community and its decision-makers.

The research identifies four key issues: a long-term housing shortage, significant impacts of floods to the community, shortfalls in services and support, and socially detrimental outcomes for individuals.

Recommendations to address this include community land and housing trust models, fact sheets to assist with key decisions, community-driven recovery, and co-design disaster responses and recovery efforts."

Following the 2022 February and March floods, when these natural disasters displaced some 1,300 people across the region, NRCF commissioned community research to delve into the housing and homeless crisis from a whole-of-community perspective. The research aims to understand the issues post-flood context, changed conditions and urgency, and build shared visions, solutions, and basis for action.

Regional housing markets will be unable to survive widespread property losses, such as those that resulted from the 2022 flooding disaster. The research, co-designed by our Northern Rivers community, generated almost 100 insights and 80 solutions. This presents a key opportunity for cross-sector collaboration to collectively focus their expertise and resources on this complex issue.

Wardell CORE has been an active stakeholder in this research and are committed to being involved with the NRCF to explore and deliver solutions to our housing crisis.

Thread Together are back

The amazing team from Thread Together are back for one last visit to Wardell for 2022 with their wardrobes on wheels. The crew have been busy with disasters nationwide where they have been providing clothing and choice for communities impacted by flooding.

You can catch them at Wardell CORE - this Wednesday 14th December from 10:30-12:30

IT Genius Connecting Communities

We have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to talk with Peter and Kai from IT Genius who have generously donated a range of tech solutions to community hubs throughout the Northern Rivers.

The team have helped us set up and install the first of three kiosk style computers for community use in Wardell. We will have two more available for general use early in the new year to help everyone access internet, email, grants, support and funding.

We look forward to being able to offer a complete and free “Internet cafe” in 2023 with access and support with printing, internet connection and wifi, laptops for loan on site, basic tech support and of course the ability to use these great new computers.

Time out over the silly season

Our amazing team will be taking their very first and much-needed break between Xmas and the new year. We will be closing the doors and not open on Saturday the 24th and will then reopen for Tuesday the 3rd of January.

We are looking forward to having one last Friday night social and Christmas dinner with the community on the 23rd and December and welcome you all to join us at WardellCORE to see the year out.

We are all very mindful that Christmas can be a stressful and challenging time for some people and additionally confronting after the year we have all had. Be assured that support and mental health access lines will still be available throughout the holiday period. If you are feeling challenged at all, please make sure you reach out for help and connection during this time.

Lets look out for out families, our neighbours and our mates through time and remember to as R U OK. Stay tuned for more resources and support information on our website, fb page and fb group.