Belgravia Foundation Celebrates Seniors Month Across Victoria

Belgravia Foundation is proud to celebrate Seniors Month, recognising the older adults in our communities. This annual event offers a unique opportunity to highlight the active participation of seniors and emphasise the importance of inclusivity and engagement with the community. 

Research confirms older adults and seniors need/ prioritise community participation and physical activity to support healthy aging. Older adults and seniors can experience a range of barriers when participating in physical activity such as lack of motivation, low self-efficacy, loneliness and feelings of being too old to not keep up. The Seniors Month Festival aims to reduce these barriers to participation and encourage social engagement, physical activity in a unique way that embraces healthy aging.  

Throughout the month, Belgravia Leisure venues across Victoria organised a variety of activities and events tailored specifically to seniors, fostering community connections and promoting their continued involvement in positive physical, mental, and social health. 

At Knox Leisureworks, several initiatives were held to celebrate seniors after the successful grant opportunity with Belgravia Foundation. The events held included: 

- Open Day with special senior offers, free hearing checks, and intergenerational interactions that provided a chance for diverse age groups to connect. 

- Outreach to Uniting Age Well Social Connections Group, where seniors participated in a fun and engaging exercise session led by Exercise Physiologist Sophie, leaving a group of 9 participants thrilled with the experience. 

- Seniors Bootcamp focused on fall prevention, arthritis management, balance, flexibility, memory, and overall strength, aiming to improve physical health and prevent injury. 

- Seniors Slide, a fun and well-loved activity encouraging seniors to feel young at heart. 

- Talking Café, featuring guest speaker Gary from the Living Our Best Life Project, which tackled the important issue of social loneliness and connected seniors with local resources. 

At Mill Park, the Whittlesea Active Adults program attended an unforgettable ABBA Tribute Show on October 16th, 2024. The event, held at the Montmorency Eltham RSL, attracted 30 participants who enjoyed a day filled with music, dancing, and socialising, making it a special experience for seniors living with mobility and isolation challenges. One participant commented that "Active Whittlesea should organise more outings like this for older people living with mobility and isolation issues." 

These initiatives showcase the power of inclusive community engagement and demonstrate the commitment of Belgravia Leisure to creating spaces where all seniors feel welcome, supported, and connected. 

Belgravia Foundation’s support has played a significant role in making these events possible. By partnering with venues on important community grant applications, Belgravia Foundation has helped expand these opportunities for seniors, ensuring that events are accessible, inclusive, and impactful. The expertise and leadership provided by Belgravia Foundation has been instrumental in shaping programs that not only celebrate seniors but also foster a greater sense of community and connection.