Belgravia Foundation celebrates with tehir innovation partner Cérge as their inclusive communication technology has now arrived in the Australian Capital Territory and is in operation at Canberra Olympic Pool, Stromlo Leisure Centre, Lakeside Leisure Centre and Gungahlin Leisure Centre, joining over 60 venues operated by Belgravia Leisure that provide this system throughout Australia and New Zealand.  

At Belgravia Foundation, our commitment to access and inclusion is unwavering. We take pride in welcoming, supporting, and including all in leisure and recreation opportunities, ensuring community member access to facilities, programs, services and employment. Our dedication ensures that no one misses out on the activities the love. With our innovation partners Cérge and Belgravia Leisure, we continue to champion a community where everyone is embraced and celebrated. 

Belgravia Foundation and Belgravia Leisure are innovation partners of Cérge, an energetic and innovative technology start-up that has created a wonderful Companion App that provides a personalised, exceptional guest experience for people living with disabilities when visiting a community venue.

Complimentary to the Companion App is the Companion Website. This platform includes features like visual stories, sensory guides and communication tools to help community members have a positive experience, either before they visit or during their visit, based on their diverse needs within the venue.

Cérge accentuates evidence-based best practice and has been designed and developed with key contributions from people with lived experience of disability, and their knowledge of the challenges of accessing community facilities. Concurrently, Cérge advocates for inclusion and access, advancing the place of people living with disabilities as welcomed and valued users of community venues, programs and services. 

Mat Pole, Regional Manager for Belgravia Leisure ACT said, “We are extremely proud to join hands with Cérge to ensure that fear, anxiety and inadvertent discrimination are replaced with a personalised and dignified guest experience. With Cérge, we’re able to empower individuals with disabilities to seamlessly participate in the vibrant life of our leisure venues, fostering a community where no one misses out on the diverse offerings we provide.”

“The positive impact and numerous stories of inclusion, not only from guests but from team members as well, are a testament to the exceptional journey Cérge is creating for people of all abilities across Australia and New Zealand.” 

Cérge has had a huge impact on communities throughout Australia and New Zealand, into which it has been introduced by Belgravia Leisure and others. The many stories of inclusion that highlight the incredibly positive impact Cérge is making on people’s lives confirm this. The impact has been further confirmed with Belgravia Foundation, Belgravia Leisure and Cérge receiving multiple national and regional awards for the innovation, including the prestigious AUSactive National Award for Industry Innovation of the Year. 

Chris and Victoria Kerrisk, co-founders of Cérge say “The opportunities Cérge has given to members of the community where they otherwise may not have participated is truly exceptional.”

“We are proud of the implementation of Cérge in the ACT and continue to embrace the profound relationship between Belgravia Leisure and Belgravia Foundation, positively impacting and allowing greater access to sports, leisure, recreation and fitness for every person in Australia, in doing all we can to make sure no one misses out.” 

To learn more about the important impact Cérge has on local people, read Stephen’s story of inclusion here.  To learn more about Cérge, view a short video here.