The Peterborough County Hubs Program is expanding to offer new drop-in services at hub locations in Millbrook, Havelock, Apsley, and Norwood starting Tuesday (September 24).
The hubs program was first launched in April 2023 as a partnership between the city and county of Peterborough, townships in the county, Community Care Peterborough, and Agilec Employment Services, with the aim of improving access to social and health services for rural residents.
The program originally launched in eight communities across Peterborough County — Apsley, Douro, Keene, Havelock, Lakefield, Millbrook, Norwood, and Warsaw — and is now also available in Buckhorn.
The hubs provide free office and meeting space for agencies to deliver health and social services — including health care, mental health, addictions, employment, developmental services, housing, income supports, senior services, and more — and to conduct outreach with local residents. They offer services for local residents who would otherwise have to travel to the city of Peterborough, which is challenging for those who do not have easy access to transportation.
“By bringing these services closer to home, we are removing barriers for communities across the region and making sure that residents can get help with everything from health care to employment services,” said city councillor Alex Bierk, portfolio co-chair of community services, in a media release.
The new drop-in program is a collaboration between the social services departments of the city and county of Peterborough (administered by the city), Canopy Support Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch, and Fleming CREW and Academic Upgrading.
Residents will be able to meet with agency staff in a private office to find out about programs and services they need. A staff person from one of the agencies will be available, on a rotating basis, at the following hubs when they are open:
- Millbrook Hub (Old Millbrook School, 1 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor) – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Havelock Hub (Community Care Office, 17 Smith Dr.) – Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Apsley Hub (Community Care Office, 126 Burleigh St.) – first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Norwood Hub at Township Office (Asphodel-Norwood Township Office, 2357 County Road 45) – Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“We place great value on inclusivity and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they require to live their best lives,” said Himanshu Shah, CEO of Canopy Support Services, which provides services for people with intellectual and development disabilities, autism, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
“We are thrilled to partner with the city on this collaborative county hubs pilot to provide equitable access to resources for our rural communities, and share the amazing work that is being done by social service agencies in the city and county of Peterborough.”
Below are the locations of all nine hubs in Peterborough County.
- Apsley Hub (Community Care Office, 126 Burleigh St.)
- Havelock Hub (Community Care Office, 17 Smith Dr.)
- Lakefield Hub (Agilec Office, 14 Queen St.)
- Keene Hub (Otonabee-South Monaghan Township Office, 20 Third St.)
- Warsaw Hub (Douro-Dummer Township Office, 894 South St.)
- Douro Hub (Douro-Dummer Public Library, 435 Douro 4th Line)
- Norwood Hub at Township Office (Asphodel-Norwood Township Office, 2357 County Road 45)
- Millbrook Hub (Old Millbrook School, 1 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor)
- Buckhorn Hub at the Buckhorn Regional Health Centre (8 William St., Buckhorn)
“I am pleased to know that from today, four of these hubs will have regular, scheduled, hours with local social service providers on a rotating basis,” said Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark.
“Local clients will now have the convenience to drop-in during office hours and not have to book an appointment. This pilot project brings social services access for our rural and small urban communities closer to parity with larger urban centres. I look forward to seeing the results of this project and future progress to support the needs of Peterborough County residents.”
Peterborough County Hub Locations
For more information about the Peterborough County Hubs Program, visit peterborough.ca/hubs, where agencies that wish to use the hubs can also find information on how to register.
