PORTLAND’S new Neighbourhood House service has started on a good foot, helping locals get access to an enormous amount of money through the Government’s Power Saver Bonus.

Following the closure of WorkSkills last year, the Neighbourhood House program was taken on by Kyeema Support Services, at its original site on Waratah Crescent and a new location in Pioneer Plaza.

Neighbourhood House Coordinator Cat Bailey, who has come on board since Kyeema took over the program, said their first big success since opening up at the new location has been through the $250 power saver bonus, The State Government payment is available to all residential power account holders, but needs on-line application, so that’s where Neighbourhood House came helped out.

More than 130 people were assisted to get the Bonus on Monday mornings through August, and Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora set up in the Neighbourhood house as well for two sessions, processing a further 110 people.

All up that’s more than $60,000 into the pockets of people who needed a hand getting through the process on their own, something Ms Bailey said she was very proud of.

This round of the program closed at the end of August, anyone who processed their application at the Neighbourhood House but is yet to receive their payments should get in touch.

But there is plenty more to do, with the offer out to the community to work with the Neighbourhood House to establish new groups, activities and projects.

“From what I’ve observed, the impact of COVID is very much still out there,” she said.

“It stopped people from socially connecting in a meaningful way and people are still experiencing that loss of connection to the community.

“Our drive is to alleviate that sense of social isolation and bring in community connection through community projects, so if you're someone in the community who really would love to make a change, and can see a problem that you'd like to fix, come and speak to us.

The scope is broad, recently that’s included kids-safe car seat checks and library events, and Ms Bailey said it can really go to wherever there is community interest and benefit.

“We would like to continue the compassionate community which has been built over 40 years at 40 Waratah Crescent, since 1979,” Ms Bailey said.

“If anyone is interested in being part of this compassionate community, as a participant of volunteer, please let us know.”