Fitness helps disadvantaged get back on track

A City of Sydney outreach exercise program, which offers free fitness classes for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness, has helped hundreds of people get their lives back on track.

City of Sydney Recreation Officer Christophe Beaulieu joined the Juanita Nielsen Community Centre at Woolloomooloo seven years ago and was inspired to expand the centre's outreach gym program to cater to a greater range of community organisations.

Since then hundreds of people from community, crisis and homeless services such as the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo, Surry Hills' Buckingham House and Samaritan House, as well as Mission Australia, have kick-started their health and lives.

Beaulieu explains "introducing people to our facility and allocating them a specific time meant having a healthier lifestyle was not too difficult or intimidating.

"It's not just the physical health we're interested in; there are countless benefits for participants such as a feeling of wellbeing, a sense of control over their lives or just a confidence boost. With a healthy lifestyle comes a healthy mind."

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said people from all parts of the community deserved to have healthy lives, stating "this initiative is an excellent example of the compassionate, community-based work the City does help people who are in crisis or experiencing homelessness. Christophe has helped change lives for the better and strengthened the local community in the process.

"For some, this regular exercise and a sense of acceptance is a small but important step in helping rebuild their confidence and their lives."

Participants receive 20 free passes and individually catered programs that included a combination of cardiovascular, strength conditioning and flexibility exercises.

The Juanita Nielsen Community Centre also offers the local community fitness programs, children's after school care, youth programs and art classes.

To help address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, the City of Sydney also has a dedicated Homelessness Unit - Australia's only local council to do so.

Beaulieu said he had witnessed countless people who were once experiencing homelessness or drug and alcohol problems, join the gym "to later find their footsteps back in to work, housing and a regular stable and healthy routine."

"It is very rewarding to have a small part in people's lives and build great friendships."

David Murphy, Program Coordinator at Matthew Talbot Homeless Services, said people who used the outreach gym program experienced improved health and an increase in self esteem.

Murphy concluded "we are very grateful for the service and care with which the centre treats our clients, many of whom are rough sleepers and residents of the hostel."

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