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Kickstart Project
Kickstart Project
Recently a couple of small but memorable events were held at both Commercial Services site’s to mark the completetion of the Kickstart Project.
A 16 month program beginning in April 2008, the aim of Kickstart was to provide employees with disabilities at Barkuma’s Elizabeth and Campbelltown sites with the opportunity to be involved in educational and physical activity sessions. A variety of activities were specifically chosen to increase the healthy lifestyle knowldedge and opportunities of employees across Barkuma Commercial Services.
Employee’s attendededucation sessions on relevant health topics including heart health, recreation, diabetes, dental hygiene and smoking. Varied exercise sessions were also offered to each individual. This included walking, gym, yoga, wing chun, thera band and yoga dance.
The most profound measure of success was the ongoing verbal feedback that was captured throughout the program. This ranged from participants expressing their interest in upcoming activities to the impact the program was having on their lives.
Some of the valuable feedback from participants included:
- describing how the project has got them thinking more about their health and inspired them to get active.
- taking up activities including bowling, walking, weights, boxing and bike riding in their community.
- wanting to try cooking a healthy meal at home.
- looking at ways to lose weight safely.
- acknowledging that they needed to drink more water during their day.
- including healthy food items in their shopping bag.
- expressing their interest in healthier options in the vending machines.
- Parents expressing their support of the program.
Barkuma would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their support and valuable contribution in making the program a success including:
Management, supervisors, employees, staff across both Barkuma Commercial Services and Client Services.
We would also like to acknowledge all external trainers and organisations for working in collaboration with Barkuma in delivering the information and activity sessions.
Finally we would like to thank the Department of Health and Ageing who generously funded the Kickstart program.
