ABOUT US

Southland Community House

Kia ora! Southland Community House is a not-for-profit community service and community facility dedicated to connecting, informing and supporting communities across Invercargill and Southland by improving access to information, services and opportunities for collaboration.

How we work
The day-to-day operations is managed by the House Coordinator, who is employed by a Board of 4 Trustees, all who volunteer their time. The Coordinator works Monday to Friday 9 am to 4.30 pm and is available to assist with your enquiries.

Funding
The Community House is funded by grants and donations, plus office and meeting room hire.

We gratefully acknowledge our funders: Community Trust South, Lotteries Community Grants, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Invercargill Licensing Trust Foundation, Aotearoa Gaming Trust and Southland District Council for their generous support over the years.

History
In 2002, a steering group of a large number of community minded people commissioned a feasibility study into the need for a “Southland Community House”. After many brainstorming sessions and very positive responses, a Trust Deed was drawn up and signed with the appointment of 5 Trustees. A large number of premises were visited and rejected, before finding our eventual “home” upstairs at 46 Kelvin Street. Some remodelling and carpeting and many hours of hard work later, the building opened in 2004 with 5 Tenants. In 2005, the first staff member was employed by the Southland Community House Charitable Trust. A wait list of interested groups is held, and enquiries are always welcome, as are visits to ascertain whether we have anything that might suit your needs.

Community House Today
We remain at our original address, upstairs at 46 Kelvin Street. Some of the names and faces have changed, but the ethos of Southland Community House remains the same as when the facility opened in 2004. Many heart-warming stories (and sadly some heart wrenching too) could be told by most who have been involved in the networking, support and assistance provided over the past 20 years.

Permanent office space, meeting rooms for hire, photocopying, other printing services, as well as information forwarding remain some of our core service provision.