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With the 2024 Loneliness Awareness Week campaign running from 5th to 11th August, the Belgravia Foundation has partnered with Ending Loneliness Together as an official gold sponsor – spotlighting the benefits of connection through aquatic and recreation centre experiences.

This year’s theme is ‘Why we feel lonely’, with the Ending loneliness Awareness Week campaign calling on all Australians, including individuals, communities, workplaces, education, and government, to take action to reduce loneliness and create more opportunities for meaningful social connections. 

Belgravia Leisure Victorian managed venues including Keilor East Leisure Centre (KELC) and Ascot Vale Leisure Centres (AVLC) as well as Yarra Centre and Monbulk Aquatic Centre have participated by running a series of events (see details below).

Loneliness is a critical issue and is recognised as a public health priority for many countries around the world. In fact, new research has revealed that one in three Australians from all walks of life feel lonely, and one in four experience persistent loneliness. However, despite being highly prevalent, loneliness isn’t widely understood or spoken about in Australia. 

Dr Jeff Walkley, Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive is keen to further build on the partnership developed with Ending Loneliness Together to highlight the role that community spaces such as leisure centres can have in reducing loneliness.

Dr Walkley notes “Belgravia Leisure, as the innovation partner of Belgravia Foundation, have collected robust data that validates the notion that participation in programs and services provided by community-based leisure centres is indeed critical to addressing the loneliness epidemic.

“We know, for example, that when it comes to aquatic-based group exercise programs, the importance of having the opportunity to be with other people, share experiences and have a chat that creates positive interactions rates incredibly highly amongst community members across Australia.

“Additionally, we have found that 90% of 1,700 participants of group exercise programs have confirmed the experience substantially supported their mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety), and 75% confirmed the experience helped them prevent loneliness.

“For some people, their visit to a leisure centre is the only interaction they may get each week, and quite often these regular interactions – where people genuinely have the chance to get to know each other – lead to not only camaraderie, but real, long-lasting friendships and ultimately a reduction in loneliness.”

In recognition of Loneliness Awareness Week 2024, Belgravia Leisure sat down with Ellen - a member at KELC to discuss the profound impact of the Access All Abilities (AAA) Swim and Social Program. The program engages people of all abilities to enjoy water activities, followed by a chance to socialise afterwards and enjoy tea or coffee. 

This initiative has been instrumental in combating loneliness among older adults like Ellen, by fostering community connections and providing enriching activities. Ellen shares lived experiences showcasing how the program has transformed lives by creating a sense of belonging and purpose. Hear from Ellen below.

Associate Professor Michelle Lim adds “we are pleased to have Belgravia Leisure as one of our valuable sponsors of the 2024 Loneliness Awareness Week. Safe spaces that can bring people together in healthy and positive shared activity is critical to help people develop and maintain meaningful social connection”.

The participating Belgravia Leisure managed venues will be delivering a range of important activities – some free, some casual entry and some part of membership, creating a culture of connection in community leisure, sport and recreation venues by offering people opportunities to reduce feelings of loneliness. Activities on offer include:

Yarra Centre
Nature based children’s play session 
Active Older Adults Functional Training 
Talking Café session 
Pickleball Winter Warmer session
Heart Foundation Walking 
Refreshments provided each session .
For more information visit the Yarra Centre website. 

Monbulk Aquatic Centre
Bingo Day
Move to Improve Seniors Exercise Class 
Talking Café Session 
Sip and Paint 
For more information visit the Monbulk Aquatic Centre website. 

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre
Wedding dress conversation starters
Women’s Only Swimming
Breastfeeding is Welcome Everywhere- morning tea social
AAA All Abilities Swim and Social Program 
Heart Foundation Walking Groups

Keilor East Leisure Centre
Pride swimming Night
Older adults group exercise
Breastfeeding is Welcome Everywhere- morning tea social
AAA All Abilities Swim and Social Program 
Heart Foundation Walking Groups

For more information about AVLC and KELC visit the MOVE Moonee Valley website.

In addition to these community events, Belgravia Foundation, Belgravia Leisure alongside Ending Loneliness Together will be sharing more stories – like Ellen’s – of real people who have experienced loneliness and how connection to activities offered by leisure centres have helped them manage. You can watch these stories here.

Belgravia Foundation was created by the Belgravia Group to help connect people with a disability, of diversity and those who experience disadvantage to connect to leisure, aquatic, fitness, recreation, sport and health programs.

Explore Belgravia career opportunities. 

Learn more about Belgravia's people. 

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