Belgravia Foundation celebrates support for the Ukrainian community at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

Belgravia Foundation proudly celebrates the inclusive and recovery-focused program at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre (ITAC), which has provided a safe, welcoming space for Ukrainian women rebuilding their lives in Australia. 

 Following displacement caused by the war in Ukraine, many women arrived in Sydney carrying deep emotional burdens, facing cultural and linguistic barriers, and navigating the uncertainty of a new beginning. In response, the team at ITAC, with support from Belgravia Leisure, developed a specialised aqua program designed using trauma-informed and culturally responsive principles. 

A female instructor was carefully chosen to ensure cultural safety, and STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) provided on-site emotional support. Classes were delivered in a semi-private environment to reduce anxiety, and the instructor used visual cues, simple language, and uplifting music to create a relaxed, engaging atmosphere. Financial barriers were removed through full subsidisation, making participation accessible to all. Gentle encouragement and an emphasis on connection enabled participants to gradually build trust, reconnect with their bodies, and rediscover joy. 

For many participants, like Yuliia, Maryna and Olena, the program has been transformative. Yuliia described it as “healing, friendship, laughter, and a sense of belonging I didn’t expect to find so far from home.” The group quickly became a source of routine, community and renewed purpose. As Olena shared, “I feel more confident in my body, and I feel more at home in Australia because of this group.” 

 The impact of the program has been evaluated through multiple channels. Participant feedback was regularly gathered by STARTTS facilitators, capturing shifts in wellbeing, confidence and social connection. Instructors tracked skill development and group engagement, noting increases in participation, interaction and independence. The Ukrainian Council of NSW worked closely with ITAC to ensure the program remained culturally relevant and responsive to evolving needs. 

The results have been remarkable. Nearly 80 women have participated in Learn to Swim programs, and between 20 and 30 now attend regular aqua aerobics sessions. A second Learn to Swim intake is underway due to high demand. Participants consistently report improved physical strength, emotional wellbeing, and reduced isolation. “It helps me get rid of the feeling of loneliness,” one woman shared. Another spoke of how the program helped her rediscover the joy of movement and gain the confidence to swim a full lap for the first time. 

 The program has also strengthened key partnerships with STARTTS and the Ukrainian Council of NSW and reinforced Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre’s reputation as a safe, inclusive hub for community recovery. It reflects Belgravia Leisure’s and Belgravia Foundation’s shared mission to support all individuals, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation through access to meaningful, inclusive leisure experiences. 

 In the words of Lyudmyla, “After a long day at work, it’s so important to relax and reset, coming to aqua class is a great way to do that. It really helps me recharge and lifts my mood.” This program proves that water can do more than strengthen the body, it can carry people toward connection, resilience and hope.