Located on Avondale’s main street, Haven Foundation is at the heart of the community in more ways than one. The registered charity offers rooms to hire to local organisations, community groups and businesses. This community hub creates opportunities for people, groups, and organisations to meet, connect and do business.
Building Manager Sue Thirkettle explains that Haven has various affordable options for organisations and groups of all shapes and sizes. ‘One-offs, casual or regular bookings are available for our rooms, whether you need a small meeting room, board room or a hall for 50 people,’ she says.
Regular users of Haven’s modern, welcoming facilities include I Love Avondale, Crescendo and Restorative Justice Waitākere. There’s also a wide range of community users, such as a women’s migrant sewing group and yoga and first aid classes.
‘We offer a vital resource that helps strengthen belonging, connection and community in Avondale,’ declares Sue. She says that between May and December 2024, 968 bookings were made for Haven’s facilities, and that doesn’t include regular users.
She adds that Haven Foundation’s staff are also active on several community trust boards. ‘These partnerships are important and are part of our commitment to providing enhanced support to local organisations,’ says Sue.
Hire rates are deliberately kept as low as possible to make the community hub’s facilities affordable. However, keeping the lights on has never been more challenging than recently. The foundation applied to the 2024 Your West Support Fund for help with operational expenses, such as rates and cleaning.
However, part of the funding has been allocated to employ a new team member dedicated to ensuring Haven’s long-term sustainability and ability to meet community needs.
The job holder is already making an impact, and a survey was recently conducted inviting feedback from Haven’s regular users. The responses were overwhelmingly positive. ‘Without Haven, Avondale would not be as vibrant and connected as we are,’ commented one respondent.
Sue and the team at Haven also recognise that more research needs to be done to understand community needs better. ‘The new team member is already working to build partnerships and relationships to ensure we are well-positioned to meet Avondale’s future needs,’ Sue advises.
Haven’s community hub is located at 1855 Great North Road. Why not drop in and check out the fantastic range of community events and activities?
