The Switchpoint Institute Limited
One of our newest projects, the Switchpoint Institute is a not-for-profit organisation that will work with people who want to make change happen.
- The Institute has begun working with volunteers who want to make a contribution to their community in practical ways - meeting and greeting, surveys, research studies, administering projects. This work matters not only because of the community outcomes but also because of the impact it has on the lives of people who give their time to the community - good networks, a good laugh and the sense of a worthwhile job well done.
- Students, assignments and work placements - Staff of the Institute have been working with TAFE and university students for several years. Sometimes the program has been assistance with a simple assignment, sometimes with a semester program and more often with postgraduate studies. So far we feel able to boast that we made a good contribution to four honours degrees, four Masters degrees and a University medal.
- Within Newcastle City Centre, The Swichpoint Institue already manages a City Guides Program that aims to enhance the ‘public face’ of Newcastle, by providing a friendly and welcoming information service for the public, tourists, and visitors to the City Centre.
- Unexpectedly, in the face of the current business downturn, Switchpoint staff have found themselves in the position of assisting people to re-think their business strategies as a means of responding to changing market conditions. We are now working with Gracegrove College (www.gracegrovecollege.com.au) as well as Natone Lodge and Trout Fishery (www.natonelodge.com.au) and Riverside Lodge Holiday Accommodation. As a result, the coming year's big project will be to find a way of bringing a health and well-being focus to individuals facing major change.