Belgravia Foundation celebrates MOVE's AAA Swim and Social Program Wrap-Up for 2023

In the third week of December, MOVE Moonee Valley joyfully wrapped up the AAA Swim and Social Program for 2023 with end-of-year celebrations, marking a successful year of inclusion, community, and aquatic fun.

Initiated in January, the AAA Swim and Social Program was made possible through the Access All Abilities grant from Sports and Recreation Victoria, a testament to the commitment of Moonee Valley City Council, in collaboration with project partners Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Victoria. This program, designed to be inclusive for individuals of varying abilities, proved to be a resounding success throughout the year.

Running weekly sessions at both Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and Keilor East Leisure Centre, the program witnessed 81 sessions in total, with an impressive participation of 83 individuals. The participants encompassed a diverse range of abilities, including those with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Autism, vision and hearing impairments, as well as age-related and psychosocial disabilities. The program provided a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone could engage in various in-water activities.

What made this program truly special was its intersectionality — the inclusion of participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community programs, Take Charge participants, as well as members and non-members. This diversity enriched the program, creating a community that celebrated differences and embraced the uniqueness of each participant.

Collaborations were a key element of the program's success. Partnerships with Water Polo Victoria and Blind Sports Australia allowed participants to explore modified water polo activities and trial a rattle ball, with a particular focus on gathering feedback from low-vision participants regarding the suitability of such activities in aquatic environments.

The overwhelming success of the AAA Swim and Social Program, coupled with the enthusiastic support from participants, has paved the way for its return in 2024. As MOVE Moonee Valley looks back on the achievements of the program in 2023, it stands as a shining example of the positive impact that inclusive initiatives can have on individuals and communities.

Belgravia Foundation are very proud to have played a very small role in this initiative by providing support and guidance to around best-practice evidence-based approaches to design, implemenetation and collaboration. Congratulations to the MOVE Moonee Valley Team for their excellence in connecting community to leisure and creating sustained meaningful participation. We look forward to see the program’s growth in 2024.