AusLeisure

Helping to connect people with a disability, of diversity and those who experience disadvantage, to sport, aquatic, fitness, recreation and health programs, the Belgravia Foundation has marked two years of operations.

Celebrating the event with a breakfast function in Melbourne last week, more than 250 guests were welcomed to the Zinc function centre in Federation Square to hear from guest speakers Brooke Hanson, Emma and Brett Withers, Evan and Denise Strahan and Tim Hodge – who shared their stories about the Foundation has made a profound difference in their lives.

One recent example of the Foundation’s work has included the introduction of Autism Family Swim Nights at Knox Leisureworks.

Mindful that families living with children with Autism (ASD) often have difficulties to find appropriate programming and services in which their children can participate, the Foundation, along with Belgravia Leisure and the charity Different Journeys, and with funding from Knox City Council, have collaborated to introduce Autism Family Swim Nights at local swimming pools.

With Different Journey’s mission being to ‘empower young people with ASD’ by providing a safe environment for young people to create positive connections and linking families with services and support, one of their events is the Autism Family Swim Nights.

The first Autism Family Swim Night on Sunday 2nd February, was attended by many families and engaged approximately 75 participants throughout the evening.  Families travelled from far afield - from throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs as well as some from the Mornington Peninsula.

A spokesperson advised that “it provided the opportunity for families to participate freely in a swimming activity and create new friendships within a supportive environment, and environment that minimised extraneous stimuli which can often be too distracting for people with ASD.”

Autism Family Swim Nights began at Kilsyth Centenary Pool and are there are discussions for them to expand to WaterMarc in Greensborough.

A statement from Belgravia Foundation advised “(we) understand the importance of creating opportunities for those who often miss out on leisure activities and we commit to the notion ‘no one misses out’.

“We look forward to the continued partnership with Different Journeys who share our views.”

Images: (Top, from left) Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive Dr Jeff Walkley, board members Brooke Hanson and Nick Cox and Chairman Alex Lord; and (below) the first Autism Family Swim Night at Knox Leisureworks.

Related Articles

7th February 2020 - BelgraviaPRO takes on management of Byron Shire holiday parks

15th January 2020 - Belgravia Leisure and the Gamer Academy combine to deliver esports and education program

23rd December 2019 - Belgravia Leisure supports Sport Australia’s ‘Find Your 30’ campaign

20th December 2019 - Report reveals Belgravia Leisure’s excellence in water safety and social value

29th November 2019 - Mornington Peninsula Shire Council awards Aquatic Centre management tender to Belgravia Leisure

12th November 2019 - Swimming Australia and Belgravia Leisure partner to deliver activity and experience-based swim school teaching

6th November 2019 - Belgravia Leisure recruits to meet ongoing growth demands in South Australia

1st November 2019 - Belgravia Leisure wins Parks and Leisure Australia award for excellence in strategic planning

17th May 2019 - Belgravia Leisure recognised for championing access, inclusion and combating mental illness

24th April 2019 - Anytime Fitness club manager develops fitness programs to raise awareness for autism

12th February 2019 - Belgravia Foundation highlights role of leisure employment in giving young rapper a second chance

3rd October 2019 - Belgravia Group to become first partner of Baseball5 League in Australia

1st October 2019 - Belgravia Group assumes ownership of additional JUMP! Swim Schools businesses

8th February 2018 - Belgravia Group commits to boosting physical activity among Australian children

3rd February 2018 - Belgravia Foundation set for industry launch

5th October 2017 - New Belgravia Foundation looks to enhance wellbeing outcomes among marginalised communities

18th November 2014 - Belgravia Leisure makes key new appointments

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.