Supporting Carers Locally Grant Success

Belgravia Foundation have recently been successful in their application for the “Supporting Carers Locally” grant.

People who provide ongoing care for others with additional needs commonly set aside their own needs, health and wellbeing to support those they provide care. Research confirms this group of people have poorer physical and mental health than others. Belgravia Foundation works to support the leisure sector to promote access and inclusion for those in need, a purpose which encompasses carers and those for whom they care. Belgravia Leisure has a national priority related to inclusion and access, and works closely with Belgravia Foundation to promote inclusion for the benefit of communities.

Across Victoria, Belgravia Leisure operates 37 leisure facilities. This project will connect carers to weekly programs and social activities offered in 12 leisure centres operated by Belgravia Leisure across metropolitan, urban fringe and country locations. Adhering to the 7 Pillars of Inclusion, and following a community engagement process led by in-place Community Engagement Coordinators or Inclusion Coordinators, each venue will use connections and collaborations with local government and care-related organisations to engage carers in a suite of health and wellbeing programs that suit the expressed needs and interests of participants, NOT a one-size-fits-all approach. Accentuating this, carers will be connected at no cost to a suite of health-related services, such as a health appraisal by an Exercise Physiologist, and when health status criteria are met, guidance to free health professional led healthy lifestyle programs like the Life! program, NDIS, or Medicare as examples.

In line with Belgravia Leisure’s workforce diversification strategy, opportunities for employment and volunteering will be promoted to carers. In further support of carers, this project will promote program and service options for those they care for to participate, with many of these funded by government initiatives (e.g. NDIS).

Jackson Taylor MP, State Member for Bayswater, said “I’m so pleased to have been able to go into bat for Belgravia Foundation, securing a $18,480 grant to support our local carers. This grant will go towards assisting carers, that dedicate their time to helping others. They need this the most. I’m proud to have been able to work with Belgravia, a great organisation based right here in Bayswater.”