A community hub serves a vital function in bringing people together and providing support services and programs for members of the local community. At its core, a community hub aims to improve the social, economic, health, and wellbeing outcomes for people in the surrounding area. Community hubs can take many different forms, but usually act as a central gathering point for community activities, events, education, recreation and more.
What are the key functions and features of a community hub?
Some of the main functions and features of a typical community hub include:
- Providing spaces for community programs and activities – This may include spaces for local groups and clubs to meet, hold events, run classes and more. From yoga sessions to craft groups, these activities bring people together.
- Hosting community events and celebrations – Community hubs often put on events like markets, festivals, exhibitions, concerts and celebrations. These events draw in locals and help to unite the community.
- Delivering community services – Hubs often house various community services under the one roof, such as health clinics, job and skills training, welfare support services, financial counselling and more.
- Operating as an information hub – People can visit to find out what’s happening locally, pick up pamphlets and brochures, ask questions and get advice.
- Providing educational spaces – Hubs may have classrooms, meeting spaces, auditoriums, and facilities for formal and informal learning.
- Giving access to recreational spaces – Gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, gardens and playgrounds allow the community to stay active and social.
- Offering health and wellbeing activities – From nutrition programs to mental health services, hubs support community health and wellness.
- Creating opportunities to volunteer – Local residents can donate their time and talents to support the hub and community.
- Promoting inclusion and accessibility – The hub is welcoming and accessible to all community members, including minority groups.
- Supporting local projects and initiatives – The hub acts as a launching pad for new community programs, collaborations and campaigns.
How do community hubs benefit local areas?
There are many valuable benefits that having a thriving community hub can bring to a suburb, town or region.
Social benefits
- Brings people together and fosters connections.
- Creates a sense of belonging and community spirit.
- Provides a safe, inclusive space for people to gather.
- Encourages volunteering and community participation.
- Promotes intercultural understanding and relationships.
Health and wellbeing benefits
- Improves access to health, fitness and wellbeing activities.
- Reduces social isolation through social activities and programs.
- Provides targeted services to those most in need in the community.
- Allows healthcare agencies to centralize and integrate services.
Educational and personal growth benefits
- Gives community members chances to take classes, join clubs and develop skills.
- Offers programs to help people find jobs, training and volunteering.
- Provides spaces for languages, arts, music and other learning.
- Allows people to share their knowledge, talents and culture.
Economic and environmental benefits
- Creates jobs and economic activity by hosting events, markets and businesses.
- Reduces the need to travel far by centralizing activities and services.
- Can be environmentally sustainable in design and operation.
- Provides opportunities for community food growing and waste reduction.
What facilities and amenities are typically found in community hubs?
While every community hub is unique, most incorporate a variety of facilities and amenities to meet local needs. Common facilities and amenities include:
- Multipurpose halls – For events, activities, performances and large gatherings.
- Meeting rooms and classrooms – For classes, clubs, training, meetings and private functions.
- Shared office space – For local organisations, charities and social enterprises to use.
- Health clinics – Providing local medical, dental and allied health services.
- Sports and recreation facilities – Gyms, courts, ovals, pools and playing fields.
- Community gardens and kitchens – For members to grow food and prepare meals.
- Library services – Public libraries or mobile library stops.
- Parenting rooms and play areas – For families and childcare groups.
- Youth spaces – Providing activities and support specifically for young people.
- Arts and crafts studios – Creative spaces for music, dance, arts and crafts.
- Commercial kitchens and cafes – Providing hospitality training and affordable food and drink.
- Outdoor community spaces – Playgrounds, amphitheatres, swimming pools and green space.
What are some examples of programs run through community hubs?
Community hubs often deliver or host a wide variety of community programs and initiatives. Here are some examples:
- Health and wellbeing programs – Such as exercise classes, chronic disease management, preventative health education, cooking classes, mindfulness meditation and maternal health programs.
- Employment and training programs – Including job seeker support services, vocational training, adult education classes, resume writing workshops and interview skills courses.
- New parent and child programs – e.g. new mothers groups, occasional childcare, playgroups, parenting skills classes and immunisation clinics.
- Youth engagement programs – Such as after school activities, school holiday programs, mentoring, leadership skills development, cultural programs and homework clubs.
- Aged care support – For instance senior social groups, technology skills classes, gentle exercise classes and assisted access to government aged care services.
- Disability programs – Like independent living skills development, therapies, disability sport and art programs.
- Multicultural programs – For example conversational English classes, multicultural cooking groups, interpreter access and settlement services for new migrants.
- Financial capability programs – Covering topics like budgeting, saving, managing debt and understanding taxes.
- Legal and social support services – Including free legal advice, tenancy advisory services, emergency relief, counselling and family violence prevention.
How are community hubs funded and managed?
There are a variety of models for funding and managing community hubs. Common approaches include:
- Local government owned and operated – The hub facilities and services are funded, managed and delivered by local council.
- Leased hub model – Council or another organisation owns the hub but leases space to compatible businesses, groups and service providers to operate from the hub.
- Joint venture model – Multiple organisations come together as partners to co-fund, develop and manage the hub.
- Community managed model – A local incorporated association leases or owns the hub and oversees operations.
- Combination model – May involve a mix of council, businesses, not-for-profits, community groups and volunteers cooperating to run the hub.
- Social enterprise model – A social enterprise hub business provides services, generates income through room hire, events, grant funding etc. and pours profits back into the community.
Ongoing operating costs are often funded through a blend of:
- Government grants
- Philanthropic funding and donations
- User fees and space rental income
- Fundraising and corporate sponsorship
- Commercial activities like venues hire, sales, events etc.
Community participation, partnerships and co-design helps create hubs tailored to local needs.
What role can local government play in developing community hubs?
Local governments can play a lead role in developing vibrant community hubs in their municipality. Key ways councils can facilitate community hubs include:
- Identifying community needs and suitable hub locations through consultation.
- Providing and maintaining public buildings and facilities to house hubs.
- Allowing community use of council facilities like libraries, halls and recreation centres.
- Leasing or licensing unused council land or buildings for community purposes.
- Providing seed funding and grants to establish community hubs.
- Forming partnerships with community groups, businesses and agencies.
- Assisting with development approvals, licences and planning processes.
- Promoting and marketing community hubs to local residents.
- Contributing to operational costs where appropriate.
- Employing dedicated community development workers to activate hubs.
By taking an active role in enabling and supporting community-led hubs, councils can create connected, healthy and inclusive communities.
What are some examples of successful community hubs?
There are many great examples of successful community hubs enhancing local areas:
- The HUB at Casey Central (Victoria) – A vibrant hub with spaces for arts, health, recreation, events, training and community services.
- Harris Park Community Hub (NSW) – Transformed a heritage building into a hub providing health, library, recreation and council services.
- Geraldton Universities Centre (WA) – A shared campus increasing educational access through partnerships between universities, TAFE and the community.
- Cloverdale Community Hub (WA) – Focused on arts, culture, upskilling and community services for one of Perth’s most diverse areas.
- Mobile Neighbourhood Centre (TAS) – A mobile community centre delivering services across this rural region.
- Wandiyali ATSI Community Centre (NSW) – Managed by the local Aboriginal community to deliver targeted health, family and youth services.
- Community Plus+ Alexandra Hills (QLD) – Combines a public library, halls, maternal and child health facilities, meeting rooms, and adaptive recreation services.
The best community hubs tap into local needs, assets and creativity to build connected and resilient communities.
Conclusion
Community hubs serve the invaluable function of bringing locals together and enhancing social, health, economic and community outcomes. They provide welcoming gathering places to deliver activities, services, events and support programs tailored to local community needs. While diverse in nature, thriving community hubs share features like multipurpose spaces, recreational facilities, health services, meeting rooms, kitchens and offices. Funding and management depends on the model, with various combinations of council, not-for-profits, businesses and community members involved. Local governments can play a lead role in facilitating community-led hubs. When developed in partnership with engaged communities, hubs can help build inclusive connections, equity and resilience.