From the moment you enter the gates of the Midway Road Community House you feel welcome. It is clear community is at the heart of the centre. Artwork and projects created by community members are proudly displayed, a wooden picnic table constructed by the Playford Men’s Shed sits under a large shady tree, and a recycle station encourages you to correctly dispose of unwanted bottle caps, reading glasses or light globes.

Annette Cooper has been the Coordinator of the centre since 2017, however she has been connected to the centre since her children were small children when she held the position of Chair for ten years.

“Even after I left my position as Chair I remained connected to the centre,” Annette said. “I regularly donated items and met with the former Centre Coordiantor, who held the position for 30 years.”

Annette’s story of an ongoing connection is common at the Midway Road Community House. A number of volunteers and community members have been connected with the centre for over 20 years.

“I frequently encounter community members who once attended vocation care at the centre and then they come back as adults to join a class, or give back as a volunteer or through donations,” Annette said.

Midway Road Community House provides a range of mental health and wellebing, social inclusion and educational programs to community.

Louise has been attending ‘Grow,’ a mental health and wellbeing program, for four years, and been connected with the centre for over 11.

“I love the house, you come here and you instantly feel calm,” Louise said. “I would be lost without the centre, a lot of people would be lost without it. “It doesn’t matter, if you come to attend a group or just for a cup of coffee, it’s a welcoming and wonderful place.”

For Sylvia, who has been attending Grow for almost three years, the community connections is what keeps her coming back.

“Everyone is really friendly,” Sylvia said.

It’s these strong community connections that saw Midway Road Community House nominated and awarded Community Group or Initiative of Year for the City of Playford’s Australia Day Awards 2021.

Midway Road Community House provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere where community members of all ages, genders, cultures and ethnicities can access a range of recreational, leisure, education, information, advocacy and support services.

Community members are always welcome to drop in for a chat and a cup of coffee or tea at the Midway Road Community House, or they can participate in ongoing programming or support monthly fundraising initiatives for the House.

Midway Road Community House facilitates community connections and supports people to develop and learn new skills.

The Centre has a focus on sustainability through their programming, projects and services, such as an op-shop, recycle station and community garden.

Midway Road Community House opened on 25 July 1982. The centre is employs seven casual and part-time workers and in 2020 was supported by 25 volunteers.

The Midway Road Community House is currently seeking volunteers to support the expansion of their community garden.