Belgravia Foundation breakfast event highlights two years of impacting communities

Helping to connect people with a disability, of diversity and those who experience disadvantage, to sport, aquatic, fitness, recreation and health programs, the Belgravia Foundation has marked two years of operations.

Celebrating the event with a breakfast function in Melbourne last week, more than 250 guests were welcomed to the Zinc function centre in Federation Square to hear from guest speakers Brooke Hanson, Emma and Brett Withers, Evan and Denise Strahan and Tim Hodge – who shared their stories about the Foundation has made a profound difference in their lives.

One recent example of the Foundation’s work has included the introduction of Autism Family Swim Nights at Knox Leisureworks.

Mindful that families living with children with Autism (ASD) often have difficulties to find appropriate programming and services in which their children can participate, the Foundation, along with Belgravia Leisure and the charity Different Journeys, and with funding from Knox City Council, have collaborated to introduce Autism Family Swim Nights at local swimming pools.

With Different Journey’s mission being to ‘empower young people with ASD’ by providing a safe environment for young people to create positive connections and linking families with services and support, one of their events is the Autism Family Swim Nights.

The first Autism Family Swim Night on Sunday 2nd February, was attended by many families and engaged approximately 75 participants throughout the evening.  Families travelled from far afield - from throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs as well as some from the Mornington Peninsula.

A spokesperson advised that “it provided the opportunity for families to participate freely in a swimming activity and create new friendships within a supportive environment, and environment that minimised extraneous stimuli which can often be too distracting for people with ASD.”

Autism Family Swim Nights began at Kilsyth Centenary Pool and are there are discussions for them to expand to WaterMarc in Greensborough.

A statement from Belgravia Foundation advised “(we) understand the importance of creating opportunities for those who often miss out on leisure activities and we commit to the notion ‘no one misses out’.

“We look forward to the continued partnership with Different Journeys who share our views.”

Images: (Top, from left) Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive Dr Jeff Walkley, board members Brooke Hanson and Nick Cox and Chairman Alex Lord; and (below) the first Autism Family Swim Night at Knox Leisureworks.