An initiative to develop a fitness group for Indigenous mothers and their toddlers has won the support of the Heart Foundation’s annual Active Australia Innovation Challenge, to the tune of $10,000 in funding.
Since 2018, the challenge has invited tertiary institutions, schools, councils, and numerous other organisations to submit their ideas to get people in their communities moving.
Out of 619 entries, double the number of entries from last year, YWCA Canberra’s plan to start a ‘Mums and Bubs’ exercise group in South Tuggeranong for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their pre-school-aged children took the pot.
According to the YWCA, there are currently no culturally-specific, safe spaces that facilitate physical activity for the demographic in this locale, despite Tuggeranong having one of the highest populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the ACT.
The group will meet for two hours a week, providing a regular, trustworthy, and safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children to take part in play-based activities. The project aims to improve participants’ attitudes and access to physical health overall.
The funding will go towards the development of a culturally appropriate activity program, as well as buying equipment such as mats, balls, a shade sail, and Indigenous items like clapping sticks.
Since the beginning of the active challenge, the number of annual participants has increased almost five-fold. Heart Foundation’s NSW & ACT Heart Health manager, Anna Flynn noted the importance of this increased participation, given around six in 10 people in the ACT are not active enough for good heart health.
“This is a real concern, because being inactive is a risk factor for heart disease,” Ms Flynn said.
“One reason for the spike in entries could be that the pandemic has sparked interest in physical activity at a grassroots level. Being stuck at home for long periods is making everyone appreciate their communities more and think creatively about ways to stay healthy and active.”
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