Linkwest: Staying in place

About the learning community

This learning community brought together organisations across Western Australia committed to creating stronger, healthier and more connected communities through place-based, community-led approaches.

Led by Linkwest, the learning community supported not-for-profit and local government-run Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres at the heart of regional and metropolitan communities.

Focused on the staying in place initiative – an innovative approach helping people age well in their communities – the learning community aimed to build capacity around social enterprise, encourage shared learning, and amplify what worked. Through collaboration, storytelling, and collective exploration, members documented tools, resources, and reflections that could guide other organisations considering a social enterprise model.

This initiative supported the organisations already delivering ‘staying in place’, creating a space where learning, growth, and innovation were shared for the benefit of all.

About the convenor

This learning community was convened by Linkwest, the peak body representing Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres in Western Australia. With over 40 years of experience in facilitating networks, building sector capacity, and advocating for asset-based community development, Linkwest is a trusted leader in supporting community-led work.

Linkwest is part of a national network of over 1,000 similar centres, supported by the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA), which promotes the sector’s contributions to health, social cohesion, and economic outcomes. Linkwest continues to champion the vital role that locally-led centres play in building thriving communities.

How did this learning community work?

The learning community connected organisations actively engaged in staying in place through online opportunities.

Online community of practice sessions ran from April 2025 to March 2026, offering a structured space for learning, sharing experiences, and discussing social enterprise approaches.
Support from sector experts, including Impact Seed and the WA Social Enterprise Council, helped participants explore and implement social enterprise models.
Small grants from Linkwest supported organisations to document their journeys through case studies, learning journals, and video blogs—capturing lessons learned and valuable resources.

Together, the community co-created knowledge and practical tools to strengthen community-centred approaches across the state.