LEAP

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Let Everyone Actively Participate
LEAP
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Population Profile

• The City of Whittleseas older population (55
  years and over) make up approximately 16.3 of
  the population (134,197) and they reside
  predominantly in the Citys urban south. It is
  projected that by 2021 over one third of the
  populations in Lalor, Thomastown and the Rural
  North will be aged over 55 years (Australian
  Bureau of Statistics).

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Health Profile

• Burden of Disease data show the major causes of
  death for males are cancer, cardiovascular
  diseases, chronic respiratory diseases,
  unintentional and intentional injuries and for
  females, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic
  respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and
  unintentional injuries.

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CALD Profile

• Residents come from a diverse range of cultural
  backgrounds, with a high percentage born in other
  countries, particularly Macedonia, Italy, and
  Greece. The existing proportion of residents from
  non-English speaking backgrounds is approximately
  54.3 (ABS).

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Senior Citizens Liaison Unit (SCLU)

• The City of Whittlesea has established the SCLU
  to respond to the needs of its ageing CALD
  community. The SCLU is made up of bilingual
  staff who support CALD seniors in an advisory
  role with an emphasis on Senior Citizen Club
  administration community development. One SCLU
  community development initiative is the Let
  Everyone Actively Participate (LEAP) program.

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LEAP

• The aim of the LEAP program is to provide CALD
  seniors with accessible affordable
  opportunities to participate in a range of
  activities that improve physical and mental,
  health and well being. Initially, LEAP activities
  were recreational day trips that involved long
  walks and sight seeing.

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LEAP Exercise Program

• In 2004, following discussions with local health
  providers and community members who raised
  concerns about the lack of affordable and
  accessible exercise options for CALD seniors in
  the City of Whittlesea, a decision was reached to
  initiate a pilot light exercise program.

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LEAP Exercise Program

• The light exercise program was conducted at
  Barry Rd Community Activity Centre in Thomastown
  and a YMCA instructor was recruited to conduct
  the exercise. The program was an instant success
  with 107 attendances throughout the first year
  (2004) with a weekly average of 20.

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LEAP Exercise Program

• In 2005, SCLU received an Active Participation
  Grant (3000) and subsidised a water aerobics
  class at the YMCA Thomastown Recreation and
  Aquatic Centre (TRAC). The program was very
  popular. Simultaneously, the light exercise
  program continued to grow from strength to
  strength, attracting up to 562 attendances
  throughout its second year with a weekly average
  of 28.

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LEAP Exercise Program

• In 2006, program funding ceased. The YMCA
  withdrew from the program. Councils Leisure
  Services Department however, provided ongoing
  funding for an instructor to take the light
  exercise program. The light exercise program
  continued to attract participants with 335
  attendances throughout the year with a weekly
  average of 30.

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WOAPAN

• In 2007, the SCLU established the Whittlesea
  Older Adults Physical Activity Network (WOAPAN)
  with Plenty Valley Community Health Services,
  Bundoora Extended Care and Diabetes Direct to
  collaboratively develop initiatives that increase
  the physical activity of older adults across the
  municipality.

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WOAPAN

• Importantly, the network has led to
• Referral of CALD patients from acute health
  settings to a long term exercise program.
• The development, launch and distribution of the
  2007 Exercise Guide for Older Adults.
• The development of exercise groups that meet the
  specific needs of older adults. i.e., Chair Based
  Exercise Class Strength Training.

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LEAP Exercise Programs

• At present, the LEAP exercise program offers
• the following
• Light Exercise on Tuesdays (Average Per Class
  (APC) 35), Thursdays (APC 12) , Fridays (APC 15).
• Chair Based Exercise on Tuesdays (APC 15)
• Strength Training on Mondays (APC 15)
• See Brochure for Details

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Light Exercise

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Chair Based

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Strength Training
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Cost of the Program

• Total Expenses (Hall Hire, Instructor, Other)
  7350.00
• less Total Income (Fees) 5214.95
• Total Cost 2135.05

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LEAP Supported Walking Groups

• In 2007, LEAP also supported the development of
  new walking groups. Members of a local Italian
  Seniors Citizens Club undertook walking group
  leadership training and upon completing the
  training formed the Happy Feet Seniors Walking
  Group of Epping. The group had up to 50 members
  in 2007, averaging approximately 20 members per
  walk.

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LEAP Supported Walking Groups

• In September of 2007, SCLU and PVCHS staff
  formed a partnership with Epping Plaza Regional
  Shopping Centre and established the Epping Plaza
  Walkers. The group walk inside the Plaza every
  Tuesday morning an hour before the stores open.
  The Epping Plaza management group are very keen
  to continue the program and expand it to two
  mornings per week. The group averages 25-30
  members per walk.

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LEAP Exercise Participants

• At the end of 2007, SCLU conducted a survey of
  all the LEAP exercise class participants. The
  feedback was overwhelmingly positive with
  participants claiming they felt their health had
  improved significantly as a result of their
  participation in the exercise classes.

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CALD Participation
Approximately 90 of the participants have CALD
backgrounds and were born oversees. Though a high
number of CALD participants found out about the
exercise classes via the SCLUs community links,
a significant number found out about the classes
via word of mouth.

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Further Development

• We plan to expand the program in 2008. In
  particular, a new exercise class to include high
  profile activities such as Dancing for Fitness,
  Yoga and Tai Chi. We are also planning to
  initiate an exercise class in the Citys rural
  north (Whittlesea Township).

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Why has it been a success?

• Affordability The exercise classes are cheap at
  2 and this amount is paid weekly.
• Community Links SCLU have close ties with CALD
  communities and regularly inform community groups
  of new exercise initiatives.
• Leadership Having a dynamic instructor is also
  important because participants want to be
  inspired and led.

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Why has it been a success?

• Convenience By running a number of programs
  participants have more options to choose a
  convenient time to participate.
• Simplicity Minimal paperwork.
• Budget The program is cost effective, it is
  virtually paying for itself but getting it up off
  the ground required some financial support.

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Why has it been a success?

• Accessibility Close to home and close to public
  transport drop off points as well as available
  parking space.
• Media Access The ability to use the Leader
  newspaper to advertise events is of inestimable
  value.
• Initiative A positive outlook, daring and
  determination.

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Why has it been a success?
LEAP

• Community Building
• The program has brought people together.

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What have been the barriers?

• Budget Although financial costs have been ironed
  out, they slowed the programs development in the
  initial stages.
• Language It is safe to assume that some CALD
  older adults may be unaware of the exercise
  classes. We will continue to link up with CALD
  groups via our community contacts and spread the
  message of healthy living in an effort to
  increase awareness and thus increase
  participation.

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SO DON'T JUST
SIT AROUND
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LEAP