Reconnecting Mind, Body and Community Through Inclusive Leisure
Reconnecting mind, body and community through inclusive leisure
Belgravia Foundation is proud to celebrate the success of Brain Body Wellness, a unique community-led initiative delivered by Belgravia Leisure at Nambour Aquatic Centre that is transforming the lives of people living with Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and related neurological conditions.
Supported by centre manager Kate Baker, the program supports the opportunity to create a welcoming, and safe space where individuals affected by brain-related conditions could come together to move, connect and simply enjoy themselves.
Through ongoing conversations with carers, health professionals and the Sunshine Coast Dementia Network, the Nambour Aquatic Centre identified a significant gap in accessible leisure for people living with cognitive decline. These groups shared a consistent message: there were few opportunities for supportive, enjoyable physical activity, and even fewer that considered the needs of both participants and their carers.
In response, the Brain Body Wellness program was developed as a weekly aqua-based session held in a fully accessible, heated indoor pool. Led by much-admired instructor Glenn, the sessions were about more than just exercise. Participants moved to music, sang along, and shared laughter in a non-judgemental environment where everyone felt safe and supported. For many, these sessions brought back a sense of routine, confidence and connection that had been lost. For carers, the program provided much-needed respite and a chance to connect with others walking similar paths, offering and receiving much needed peer support.
The impact has been both powerful and personal. Lynette, a regular participant, says her balance has improved and she feels more confident in her daily life. At 88 years old, June attends not just for her own wellbeing but to stay strong in her role as a carer for her 90-year-old husband Kevin, who now enjoys chatting with patrons about his days as a swimmer and lifesaver. Lloyd, who lives with Parkinson’s Disease, has found that the sessions help strengthen his body and support his cognitive function. Most importantly, he has regained the confidence to enjoy the water again and he has made new friends along the way.
The success of Brain Body Wellness is reflected in its growing attendance, now welcoming between 12 and 20 participants each week. Due to an increasing demand, a second weekly session has been added. Continuous feedback from carers and participants helps guide the program’s evolution, ensuring it remains responsive, relevant and deeply community focused.
Brain Body Wellness also reinforces Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to inclusive and health-focused programming. It highlights how leisure can be a powerful vehicle for social change, and health promotion, bringing joy, movement and meaning into the lives of those who need it most.
Belgravia Foundation celebrates the team at Nambour Aquatic Centre for their commitment to building a more connected and compassionate community, one session at a time.