Welcome to the Social Shift Institute!

Welcome to the Social Shift Institute — the research and community development arm of HBNC (Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre), dedicated to building stronger, more connected communities through innovation, collaboration, and grassroots action.

We deliver a range of initiatives and services designed to support communities, organisations, and changemakers across Queensland, including:

Social Vault – A growing library of innovative programs, practical resources, and adaptable toolkits designed to help communities respond to key social challenges.

Social Shifters – Capacity-building programs and workshops including the Social Spark Lab, Impact Immersion Programs, Social Impact Measurement Workshops, and Systems Storytelling support to help organisations strengthen their impact, frameworks, and community engagement.

Research & Publications – Community-focused research, data collection, and publications that explore emerging social issues and identify opportunities for positive change.

Community Development – Community-led projects, events, interagency networks, and initiatives that strengthen local connection and innovation. This includes our statewide Read Bears Program, delivered in partnership with local schools to support literacy, confidence, and brighter futures for young people across Queensland.

We’re also excited to soon launch the Social Shifters Podcast, featuring conversations on emerging community topics, innovative ideas, and inspiring local stories.

In partnership with CD Queensland and Neighbourhood Centres Queensland (NCQ), we’re proud to be hosting the 2027 Queensland Community Development Conference in Hervey Bay — watch this space for more details coming soon!

Together, we’re creating positive social change — one social shift at a time.