LOCAL LIFE

Angela receiving her International Women ’ s Day Award in March . by Lorna Gordon

On International Women ’ s Day last month , women across the globe were celebrating the achievements they have made and the positive steps forward which are happening . In our community , Blacktown City Council awarded Angela Van Dyke their Woman of the Year award , acknowledging the hard work and dedication she has brought to her role as CEO of North West Community Services in Riverstone .

Angela moved to Blacktown in 1994 and she hasn ’ t moved since . She began her working life thinking she would go in to law , but realising this was not her calling , changed her path and decided she wanted to work where her impact could be felt the most , in the community where she could help people directly and advocate and influence for change .

When she stepped into her role at North West Community Services in 2017 , Angela was determined to be one of the people who makes a stand and a difference to the local community , using her 35 years of experience in public service to draw on . Her belief that humanity is what we need to be focusing on , instead of the statistics that economic and political structures are built on , is what drives the work conducted at the community centre .

“ We work with everyone from the early years to providing end of life care by assisting people at their pace , respecting their goals and priorities and trying to make the system work for them as much as possible ,” Angela explained to

me , highlighting their people-centred approach to helping locals

“ Whether it ’ s a playgroup for new mums , therapeutic counselling , social health programs , or disaster relief , as a centre we serve all ages , men and women , our doors are always open .”

Since COVID the need for community assistance has grown massively , the lack of housing available for renting , cost of living , mortgage stress and the impact all of these have on families has seen a dramatic increase in the need for help from centres like North West Community Services .

Angela has seen people from all walks of life come to get assistance with both straight forward and complex problems , which she and her staff have been able to help with .

“ We are here to help and all of us need to support our community better . There has been a 300 per cent increase in people who have needed aid since COVID and this is not just in the lower socio--economic demographics . Some people come to us who have never needed to use the system and now need help to get through complex situations .”

The services offered by the centre are wide ranging . They have social support with the Men ’ s Shed and community gardens , Bingo friendship group and craft groups help keep our older residents active in the community and encourages friendships .

The contact with the staff in the centre has allowed the team to help the seniors move their information to the My Aged Care System which will help when the

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6 ISSUE 37 // APRIL 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT