Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Belgravia Leisure recognised for championing access, inclusion and combating mental illness

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

Belgravia Leisure has secured two awards at the 2019 Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) VIC/TAS Awards.

Presented earlier this week, the awards included the Strategic Planning Award for their Access and Inclusion five-year plan and Community Based Initiative of the Year for their Take Charge® and Youth Take Charge® programs.

Belgravia Leisure has a vision that all Australians should have equitable access and inclusion in services, programs and facilities, embedded within the Australian ethos of a 'fair go'.

However, mindful that many people still experience exclusion from leisure, identifying this and using an evidence-based approach, Belgravia Leisure have developed and resourced an innovative five-year strategic plan to rectify this inequity.

Belgravia Leisure Chief Executive Nick Cox explains “as an organisation we have embraced Access and Inclusion and in doing so created a coordinator position at every leisure centre, ensuring we are supporting the diverse community and people with a disability.

“We see it as our responsibility to do all we can to connect those in need to the health and happiness benefits through regular use of their local leisure centre. I congratulate our local teams in the delivery of this vision.”

Belgravia Leisure’s identification of the serious service gaps that prevent people with mental illness accessing locally available best-practice programs lead to the development of their Take Charge programs.

These programs are evidence-based, confirmed through trials as creating improved health and happiness for those with mental illness. The pilot stage of the Take Charge has already generated $667,461 in social value, supporting over 300 adults and teenagers with fitness, health and wellbeing.

Recognising the program's potential, Belgravia Foundation, a charity focused on reducing barriers to participation in sport, aquatic, fitness, recreation and health programs, is implementing Take Charge across Australia and New Zealand, leading the work on refinement, research and scale up into the industry.

Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive, Dr Jeff Walkley advises “after the success of this pilot, we are looking to launch the Take Charge program nationally across 120 leisure centres Belgravia Leisure manages.

“Mental illness is widespread across Australia and New Zealand, particularly among younger people.

By promoting Access and Inclusion and understanding the unique support needs of this group, it’s a great opportunity to contribute to the health of people in our communities.”

Alison Yung, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Youth Mental Health, adds “exercise is an effective intervention in a range of mental health disorders. There is evidence that it reduces symptoms of depression and might even prevent the development of depression in children.

“What we need to do is to get better at engaging people with mental health disorders in exercise, and this is where the Take Charge program comes in.”

For more information on Belgravia Leisure’s Take Charge program go to www.belgraviafoundation.org.au/how-we-help 

Image: Fitness at the Belgravia Leisure managed Watermarc.

Related Articles

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

29th November 2018 - WaterMarc awarded Life Saving Victoria Platinum Pool accreditation

3rd February 2018 - Belgravia Foundation set for industry launch

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

24th December 2016 - Belgravia Leisure appoints new Centre Manager at WaterMarc Banyule

30th March 2016 - WaterMarc Banyule tops Let’s Move For a Better World challenge

18th November 2014 - Belgravia Leisure makes key new appointments

21st December 2012 - WaterMarc installs RFID Lockers from Centaman Entrance Control

10th December 2012 - WaterMarc optimises lobby security with Centurion EasyGate

14th October 2011 - Banyule Council reveals WaterMarc’s dynamic energy


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.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Clubware

Clubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun 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 more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business