Saving a Lifeline: The Great Southern Community Hub

For many people facing hardship in the Great Southern, the Pivot Support Services Community Hub is often the first place they turn for help.

Providing practical support, connections to services and a welcoming place for people experiencing difficult circumstances, the Hub has become an important part of the region's social support network.

When the future of the Hub came under threat, the potential consequences for vulnerable individuals and families across the Great Southern were significant.

Recognising the importance of the service, the Albany Community Foundation worked alongside Pivot Support Services to help secure its future. Over a two-year period, the Foundation assisted in developing a compelling case for support and leveraged its relationships across Western Australia and beyond to raise awareness of the opportunity among philanthropic organisations and partners.

Through this collaborative effort, funding was secured from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, providing the certainty needed to continue and strengthen the Community Hub's operations.

The outcome ensured that hundreds of people across the region could continue accessing vital support and assistance during times of need.

While community foundations are often associated with grantmaking, this project highlights another important role they play: bringing people together, advocating for community priorities and connecting local initiatives with broader networks of support.

By working collaboratively and championing solutions to local challenges, the Albany Community Foundation helped protect an essential community service and ensure its impact continues for years to come.

This story demonstrates the power of civic leadership and the role community foundations can play in helping communities respond to challenges, seize opportunities and strengthen the services that matter most.

Photo courtesy of the Albany Community Foundation