Australind based not-for-profit group Grow Cook Eat Create is struggling to find a permanent location

A not-for-profit group that helps develop skills through an inclusive community kitchen in Australind may soon become homeless unless it is able to find a new permanent location. Grow Cook Eat Create provides daytime activities and skills development by involving participants in tasks such as crafts, gardening, cooking and dance. The program operates out of the Leschenault Leisure Centre’s function room — a shared community facility — but must either cancel or find an alternative location during busy periods. Many GCEC members live with mental health issues, disabilities or marginalisation, and manager Debbie Woodward said it was stressful for them not to know where the classes would be held. Ms Woodward said she was grateful for the group’s allocated space at the LLC, but it needed the stability of somewhere permanent. “We don’t see us being at the LLC forever. The Shire doesn’t see that as well, so we know we need to have a home of our own,” she said. “I don’t have a vision of not having a home. “Eventually we’ll have to look out of the shire, not that that’s something we wanted to do, because we feel very treasured in the shire of Harvey and we fill a niche.” Ms Woodward said she started GCEC after realising she could fill a “great hole” in the community. GCEC participant Lawrence Mitting said he attended the group once a week and also felt it needed a more permanent space to operate. “I like it because I get to make crafts with my friends and family and I get to make wonderful contacts I see outside cooking, on weekends,” he said. A Shire of Harvey spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we cannot make a comment at this point of time due to current consultation and future matters to be presented to council.”