Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre provides assistance to the community via several programs:

 

Emergency Relief

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)

Financial Counselling

Affordable Counselling

Community Support Kitchen

Winmalee Community Food Cupboard

 

Emergency Relief

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre provides support to the community for utility accounts, the Winmalee Food Cupboard, fresh bread, fruit and vegetables on Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Secondbite, counselling/financial counselling, No Interest Loans and our free Monday Community Lunch in Springwood.

 

Assistance is also available from BMFSS at Katoomba for utility accounts and fresh fruit, vegetables and bread through the Winmalee Community Food Cupboard.

 

Financial Assistance

  • Assistance is available at Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre for -
    • EAPA vouchers for Electricity/Gas accounts.
    • Sydney Water accounts.
    • Vouchers for Telstra accounts.

Appointments are available on Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 3pm.

Drop in to 62 White Cross Road or call 4754 4050 to make an appointment.

 

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)

About NILS – a short history

NILS is an interest free loan scheme initiated by Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service in Victoria. NILS is designed to assist low income and disadvantaged people access credit without the burden of interest charges or hidden fees.

NILS was introduced to the Blue Mountains by the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre in 1998 and is now available throughout the Blue Mountains  in four locations.

Over the last 10 years funding for the Blue Mountains schemes has been generously provided by:

  • Private donations
  • The Mercy Foundation
  • The Ian Potter Foundation
  • Sydney Water
  • Blue Mountains City Council
  • National Australia Bank (NAB)

From 2009-10, administrative funding has been received from the NSW Government through Fair Trading.

 

Who is eligible to access a loan from Winmalee NILS?

People living on low incomes are eligible to participate in NILS. An indication of low income might be the possession of a Health Care Card or being in receipt of support through Centrelink.

The loan applicant should have lived within the geographical localities of the following post codes: 2749, 2753, 2754, 2757, 2758, 2776 and 2777 for at least the last six months.

You must also show a willingness and capacity to repay the loan. 

 

How can I apply for a loan at Winmalee?

To receive a loan information pack contact us via -

 

For more information about the No Interest Loans Scheme please contact the scheme nearest to you or phone the NSW NILS 1800 Freecall Service on 1800 509 994

 

Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre  02 4787 7770

Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre 02 4754 4050

Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre  02 4759 2592

Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre  02 4754 4050

 

Financial Counselling

 

Wesley Financial Counselling is available at Winmalee Neightbourhood Centre. It provides free, independent and confidential face-to-face counselling in a friendly and informal environment. If you are in financial stress, or would like to manage your money more effectively, ring Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre to find out more.

 

Affordable Counselling

 

Do you want a way to:

  • move forward and change the way you see yourself,
  • learn how to create a balanced life,
  • overcome worry and create better relationships,
  • achieve your goals to make a positive difference for yourself.

Tracy is a counsellor who works closely with her clients to deal with problems they may be facing. You will be provided with all the support you require to assist you to fully understand the issues and concerns you may have. A one hour session will cost $50 (reduced rates can be negotiated depending on your circumstances). Ring WNC for more details.

 

Community Support Kitchen

The Community Support Kitchen provides a free weekly nutritious lunch every Monday 11am - 12:30pm (tea and coffee available from 10am) at Springwood Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Rd, Springwood. Everyone is welcome to attend and the lunch is a great way to meet people and connect with other services who may be able to assist you. The Church is just a short walk from Springwood Station and near local bus stops.

 

This project is a partnership between Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre and Springwood Rotary, the Springwood Presbyterian Church and Salvation Army. Community supporters are La Montagna Cafe, Supa IGA and Donut King Winmalee.

 

Winmalee Community Food Cupboard

The Centre at present operates a food cupboard which has a limited supply of shelf products available for fortnightly access by low income residents. Coles Winmalee provide fresh fruit, vegetables and bread to the Centre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week via the Secondbite Program.

 

To download a weekly PDF of the items available, visit the Winmalee Community Food Cupboard section on this site's home page.