Belgravia Foundation Champions Safer, More Inclusive Spaces for CALD Women and Girls

Belgravia Foundation Champions Safer, More Inclusive Spaces for CALD Women and Girls

Belgravia Foundation is proud to celebrate the official launch of the Play Our Way – Learn to Swim program, which took place on Thursday 10 April 2025 at Whitlam Leisure Centre. This significant milestone represents the shared commitment of partners and local communities to create culturally safe, welcoming spaces for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women and girls over a three year period.

Play Our Way is a transformative initiative designed to break down longstanding barriers preventing CALD communities from accessing water safety education and recreation opportunities. Delivered in collaboration with Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre, Belgravia Leisure, and Liverpool City Council and supported by the Australian Government’s Play Well Participation Grant Program the project will run from 2024 to 2027, creating lasting impact across Western Sydney.

The program is designed to provide tailored swim lessons, recreation activities, and wellbeing workshops over three years, addressing social, cultural and financial barriers to participation. Participants will also be supported through initiatives like subsidised uniforms, yoga, personal training, and community events all contributing to confidence-building and a sense of belonging.

A dedicated Project Coordinator and on-site Project Officers will guide the program’s delivery at each venue, ensuring CALD women and girls feel supported and included throughout their journey. Impact will be closely monitored to ensure the program continues to meet the evolving needs of participants.

“This program is a meaningful step toward making recreation safer and more welcoming for CALD women and girls. By working in partnership with communities, we’re breaking down barriers and building lasting pathways to participation,” said Tayla Pallas, Aquatics & Inclusion Coordinator, Belgravia Foundation.

Belgravia Foundation is proud to play a leading role in building stronger, more inclusive communities, where every woman and girl, regardless of background, can access life-enriching opportunities to thrive in and around the water.