Clubworx
Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…
read moreThe Belgravia Foundation - which helps connect people with a disability, of diversity and those who experience disadvantage aquatic, fitness, recreation, sport and wellness programs - has reached three years of operations.
Aligned to the Melbourne-based Belgravia Group’s Belgravia Leisure division, the Belgravia Foundation was founded in July 2017 to aid people who have encountered barriers to connection to leisure activities. This can include people living with illness, disability, poverty, inequality, aiming to improve their quality of life, health, social harmony, connection and participation.
A critical part of the foundation’s development has been the provision of an online staff training module for Belgravia Leisure’s 5,000 employees related to inclusion and disability. The fully online 30-minute training course has been shown to significantly improve confidence and capacity among staff working in our 270 leisure centres across Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, when local venues partner with Belgravia Foundation to raise funds, 100% of the money raised is reserved solely for use in the catchment area of the local venue. Nothing leaves the community, meaning every dollar raised can benefit those living there.
Working with Yarra Ranges Council
One collaboration, between the Belgravia Foundation and Yarra Ranges Council, for whom Belgravia Leisure operate facilities, has seen these facilities create local partnerships, submit grants and engage in fundraising that has raised more than $15,000 to support local community members experiencing adversity to connect to leisure, and gain an opportunity for improvement in health and happiness.
Collectively, over 2,000 community members have benefited from Belgravia Foundation support since January 2018, with local community organisations receiving training and support from Belgravia Foundation and Belgravia Leisure staff, community members receiving funding to access wellbeing and employment supports and disadvantaged youth being provided access to work experience and more.
Funds have been used to support local projects across the Yarra Ranges community, ranging from community activation events like the annual Move for Mind family fun runs, ongoing wellbeing projects like the Move for Mind partnership projects delivered in collaboration with health promotion and community safety organisations like the Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA) or Inspiro health. Mental Health First Aid training has been provided at subsidised rates to key community groups, enabling them in turn to apply the important training to support community members, and in conjunction with All The Feels, art therapy programs have been provided to parents as well as young people.
Commenting on the work, which he has led over the course of three years, Belgravia Leisure’s Local Community Engagement Coordinator, Aleksei Bondarenko-Edwards stated “none of this would be possible without our strong partnerships with local agencies, a solid understanding of both our local community and the systems that are available to support them and the Belgravia Foundation of course.”
For more information, contact Jeff Walkley, Chief Executive of the Belgravia Foundation, on email: jwalkley@belgravialeisure.com.au
Image: A Belgravia Foundation Fluro Run Fundraiser.
Article amended 22nd July 2020 to correct a reference to the Moss Vale Aquatic Centre in NSW, which is managed by BlueFit.
23rd June 2020 - Belgravia Leisure announces reopening of all Australian and New Zealand facilities
4th June 2020 - Belgravia Leisure survey reinforces focus on health and safety when more facilities reopen
21st May 2020 - Belgravia Leisure reveals roadmap to reopening of facilities as Coronavirus restrictions ease
23rd April 2020 - Belgravia Leisure Re-engages over 20 Exercise Physiologists for new Telehealth service
25th March 2020 - Belgravia Group launches online fitness program
26th February 2020 - Belgravia Kids Chief Executive explains the acquisition of Jump! Swim Schools business
25th February 2020 - Belgravia Leisure helps more than 7000 Australians ‘Find their 30’ minutes of activity
17th February 2020 - Belgravia Foundation breakfast event highlights two years of impacting communities
20th December 2019 - Report reveals Belgravia Leisure’s excellence in water safety and social value
12th November 2019 - Swimming Australia and Belgravia Leisure partner to deliver activity and experience-based swim school teaching
12th February 2019 - Belgravia Foundation highlights role of leisure employment in giving young rapper a second chance
3rd February 2018 - Belgravia Foundation set for industry launch
5th October 2017 - New Belgravia Foundation looks to enhance wellbeing outcomes among marginalised communities
30th January 2019 - Yarra Ranges Council recruits for new projects
16th May 2017 - Children’s input shapes new Yarra Ranges Council playground
18th September 2014 - Yarra Ranges Council to lobby for funds for new aquatic centre
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.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…
read moreHumanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…
read moreFun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…
read moreLinks Modular Solutions was a leading provider of high-quality, innovative software solutions for aquatic and recreation facilities. Links Modular Solutions is now part of Xplor Technologies.
read moreIntelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…
read moreSLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…
read moreFluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…
read moreiDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!