IF YOU want to know more about the community services that are available in the Griffith region, many of them will be all in one spot this week when they take part in the annual Community Services Expo at Griffith Central.

Organised by Griffith Community Centre co-ordinator Barbara Penninga, the event is in its third year and started from service providers wanting to spend more time networking.

Ms Penninga chairs a monthly inter-agency meeting and it was at one of those three years ago that the idea formed.

“When people came over from out of town they wanted longer meetings because there wasn’t enough time to network with other agencies,” Mr Penninga said.

“We said ‘no’ and decided to do something else instead, to get to know each other and the community.

“Everybody now has the opportunity to chat in an informal way.”

Griffith Central has been a key supporter of the initiative, providing a perfect indoor, relaxed and public venue for the expo.

“It will be pretty big this year with 38 registered organisations coming, from Sydney, Wagga, Griffith,” Ms Penninga said.

“There’ll be 42 tables so we’re going to have to spread out in the plaza

“I’m really looking forward to it. So are the services because they’ll get to speak to ‘people on the street’.”

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Participating providers will have handouts and giveaways for those seeking information, as well as all manner of promotional banners and paraphernalia.

Ms Penninga said it wasn’t just service providers who gained from taking part as there were many benefits for the general community.

“If you don’t need a service, in general, you’re not going to find out about it,” she said.

“Some services have changed names, there’s been loads of changes.

“It might not be for yourself, it might be for your parent or grandparent; you might need to get information for them.”

The range of providers means most bases would be covered.

“Most of the aged care groups are represented, there’ll be disabled groups represented, mental health representatives,” Ms Penninga said.

“I think we’ve got good coverage.

The Griffith Community Services Expo will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 10am to 2pm at the Griffith Central shopping centre, in front of the IGA supermarket.

Community service organisations that will be at the 2017 Community Services Expo, Griffith Central, on Thursday, June 29, from 10am to 2pm: