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Celebrating 20 years of our award-winning Get Active Program
Twenty years | Four thousand participants | Life-changing outcomes
In October we received the Active Tasmania Award in the Tasmanian Community Achievers Awards for our Get Active Program, also known as GAP. It was a wonderful addition to our 20th anniversary celebrations and fitting recognition for the amazing work done by our Program Manager, Leez Robertson, and extended GAP team.
GAP was established in Tasmania in 2004, and twenty years later the program is stronger than ever. GAP has a statewide reach, including the Bass Strait Islands, and proven success in enhancing the lives of participants from teenagers through to people in their 70s and 80s.
So what is this program that engages the young and not-so-young?
• GAP improves health literacy and fosters sustainable long-term change in levels of physical activity of participants.
• Most programs are delivered over an 8 to 10-week schedule, with a two-hour GAP session each week.
• The first hour of the session covers wellbeing topics, such as: goal setting, motivation, stress management, self-esteem, nutrition, body comfort and maintaining momentum.
• The second hour is spent on fun physical activities that have been selected by team members at the start of the program. This gives participants the opportunity to contribute and shape the program, as well as try new activities in a supportive group environment. Over the past few years our facilitators have delivered programs that include mini-golf, seated Zumba, line dancing, rock climbing, yoga, aqua aerobics, Nordic walking , boxercise and more.
Increasing health literacy sets a foundation
There is a wealth of evidence from research studies demonstrating that physical activity is a positive driver for good physical and mental health and wellbeing, and has benefits for the prevention and management of chronic conditions. Additionally, physical inactivity is identified as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality.
Concerningly, the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022 National Health Survey reports that 78% of (adult) Tasmanians do not meet the national physical activity guidelines.
In general, people living in lower socio-economic areas have lower physical activity levels on average than those from more financially advantaged areas. This is where GAP can provide support, education and motivation to help.
Through a funding grant from Public Health Services in the State Government’s Department of Health, WSRT is able to deliver twenty funded GAPs each year. These twenty programs are specifically targeted at population groups who are most at risk of poor health due to low physical activity levels and life style choices.
The focus of GAP is to educate and encourage participants to increase and maintain higher levels of activity, which in turn contributes to the prevention of illness, and fosters improved health and wellbeing.
Life shaping experiences
GAP participants self-rate their physical activity levels at the start of the program as well as indicating barriers to partaking in physical activity. Throughout the program tools are introduced to help with goal setting and address barriers and obstacles.
The end of program evaluation results for 2023/2024 participants showed that 83% recorded an increase in their physical activity levels and/or health and wellbeing levels by the end of their GAP.
In addition, WSRT regularly undertakes post-program follow up to track longer-term outcomes.
Results across 9 GAPs in the 2023/2024 financial year demonstrate:
• 83% of participants maintained their increased physical activity levels
• 72% maintained their increased health and wellbeing levels
• 89% indicated that they now make more informed healthier food choices
• 94% kept doing one or more of the activities that they tried in the GAP as part of their grou
• 100% said that participating in the GAP made them feel more connected to their community.
These are outstanding results that the team at WSRT is extremely proud of, and recognises the incredible work of the many GAP facilitators around the state. These facilitators not only deliver the program, in many cases they are heavily involved in the funding application process as well as recruiting participants.
While the statistics are certainly impressive, perhaps the best evidence of success is in the feedback received from participants:
“It has helped me realize how little activity I do and how much happier I am when I am active.”
“(I learnt) …that I don’t need to worry about how I look doing things like bowling.”
"My mental health is much improved"
“I’m happier, and actually wanting to get our more.”
And from a facilitator following a 2023 GAP with youth:
“… increased confidence and motivation. Social connection with each other and the broader community. GAP allowed them the time to pause and think about their health and wellbeing… An introduction that might give them an appetite to explore and expand further.”
For our GAP Program Manager, Leez Robertson, and the WSRT Board Members, it truly is a privilege to deliver a program that informs, supports and encourages people to live their healthiest, happiest, active life.
Our GAP Small Grants Funding Program has closed for 2024 but we will be opening applications again in January 2025. Keep watch on the WSRT website, the WSRT and GAP social media channels and also contact us directly if you would like to receive more information about the program or grant process.
GAPs can also be delivered on a fee-paying basis for organisations not eligible for / not receiving grant funding.
Please get in touch to find out more!