Katoomba's newest space is relaxing, comfortable, practical and very family-friendly.
It's the Katoomba Public School Community Hub, opened last month by Blue Mountains MP, Trish Doyle.
The hub is the brainchild of the school's Assistant Principal Wellbeing, Angie Wilson, who recognised how so many families formed friendships and networks through the school, and wanted to give them somewhere to mix socially as well as to find out about local support groups.
"The school has been a safe, positive and care community for many families and families are feeling more and more connected through the school," she said.
She also noted how many not-for-profit groups operate in the Mountains, offering a range of services.
"But many families weren't aware of the support and how to connect to it," she said.
So Ms Wilson (with help) set about creating a space which will provide parents, carers, their children and members of the wider community a place to get together, have a chat, find out about what help might be available, "or even just have an adult conversation".
"It's a space we have created where they can seek information about family support services in the local area, a place to drop-in for a cuppa and a chat and a place where local agencies can run programs and parenting and wellbeing groups," she said.
An underused space at the school has now been transformed into a living area, with couches and cushions, a dining table and chairs, fridge, microwave and toys for children.
There is also a coat rack where people can bring unused or unwanted coats and those without can take one home free.
Importantly, there are brochures and information about the wide variety of support groups operating in the Mountains.
At the opening alone, there were representatives from Connect Child and Family Services, Thrive Services, Mountains Outreach Community Service, Belong Blue Mountains Neighbourhood Services, Blue Mountains Women's Health and Resource Centre, Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre, Gateway Family Services, Anglicare NSW and the council-run Stronger Families Alliance.
Each organisation offers something different - from mobile play groups to emergency relief, food hampers to health checks, early literacy help to counselling - or targets different groups, such as families with very young children, youth, Aboriginal people or single parents.
The centre is available to the community and/or community groups. Contact the school on 4782 1226.
Ms Wilson said: "It is my wish that the Katoomba Public School community drop-n works as a bridge between the school and the community."
