GAP Case Study
GAP – EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO LIVE WELL, LIVE LONG AND GET ACTIVE
A case study on how Get Active Program (GAP) facilitator Corina McCarthy addressed both the challenge of adapting her Get Active Program (GAP) for a diverse group, and the challenge of participants maintaining adequate physical activity levels after the program’s completion.
Corina facilitated the recently completed GAP “Live Well, Live Long and Get Active Glenorchy”. This program was conducted over eight weeks, beginning in early July and concluding in late August 2025. The program aimed to encourage physical activity and improve overall well-being among participants during the colder months.
Corina works as a dedicated Health Promotion Worker within the Tasmanian Health Service and is based in southern Tasmania. Since 2011, she has successfully implemented a remarkable total of 25 Get Active Programs in high-need communities such as Campania, Oatlands, Sorell, and Triabunna. Her extensive experience and expertise in health promotion are recognised through her active participation as a member of the Get Active Program Advisory Committee. Corina holds a Certificate IV in Fitness and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, further demonstrating her professional qualifications. Additionally, she is a certified Nordic walking instructor, which enhances her ability to promote diverse active lifestyles to her clients.
Corina’s GAP attracted 21 participants, 18 females and three males. Notably, eleven participants resided in areas classified within the lower percentile of the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA), according to the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage state decile. This highlights the program's focus on reaching and supporting communities facing socio-economic challenges, emphasising the importance of targeted health promotion initiatives in disadvantaged areas.
Addressing the Challenge: Adapting the Get Active Program for Diverse Groups
The primary challenge lies in customizing the Get Active Program to effectively serve a wide range of groups with varying individual interests and needs. To achieve this, a strategic approach focusing on flexibility and inclusivity is essential.
Strategies for Successful Implementation
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Engaging Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in from facilitators and participants is crucial. Corina exemplifies this by involving her team in the planning process, ensuring their ideas and preferences are considered.
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Flexible Program Structure: The program incorporates learning topics selected from the available ten GAP weekly lesson plans. Facilitators are asked to always cover nutrition and then to consider additional topics and invite guest speakers were appropriate. This flexibility allows the program to be tailored to the specific interests of each group, enhancing engagement and relevance.
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Interactive Planning: Brainstorming sessions enable participants to share their ideas, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring the program reflects their interests. This participatory approach helps in identifying topics that resonate with the group.
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Content Diversity and Freshness: Regularly updating the topics keeps the program dynamic and engaging. Incorporating new themes and guest speakers maintains enthusiasm and prevents monotony.
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Organised Implementation: Corina consolidates all ideas into a manageable format, creating a weekly plan that is circulated among participants. This structured approach ensures consistency and clarity in program delivery.
Overall, the success of the Get Active Program in diverse settings hinges on adaptability, stakeholder involvement, and continuous innovation. By fostering an inclusive environment where participants' ideas are valued, the program can be effectively tailored to meet the unique needs of each group, thereby promoting sustained engagement and positive health outcomes.
Addressing the challenge of maintaining engagement after the completion of the GAP program requires strategic approaches to foster ongoing participation in physical activities.
One effective solution applied for this GAP was to introduce participants to local community or neighbourhood houses, which are specifically designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments. These venues offer a diverse range of physical activities tailored to various interests and fitness levels, encouraging sustained involvement.
The GAP initiative is structured as a fun; supportive activity sampler aimed at helping individuals with low activity levels discover enjoyable pursuits that they are likely to continue beyond the formal sessions. Recognising the importance of familiarisation and comfort, Corina’s group incorporated visits to two community houses—Bucaan Community House in Chigwell and Goodwood Community House—as part of their orientation. These visits serve as an introduction to the facilities, programs, and community spirit, helping participants feel more confident and motivated to pursue ongoing physical activity.
By connecting participants with local community resources, the program not only promotes physical health but also fosters social connections and a sense of belonging. This approach ensures that the benefits of the initial activity sessions extend into long-term lifestyle changes, supporting overall well-being and community engagement. Establishing these connections is crucial for creating sustainable habits and encouraging individuals to integrate physical activity into their daily routines.
Neighbourhood Houses (Houses) are organisations offering accessible, locally driven programs which respond to community needs and provide a soft-entry point to community and service systems. Bucaan House currently offers five low or no cost physical activity groups: Stretch & Move – Go Exercise ($5); Dance; Clap & Stomp – Line Dancing at The Greek Club; Best Foot Forward Walking Group; Chair Pilates, and Healthy Hearts Exercise.
Goodwood Community Centre offers chair exercise, and a senior’s social club with activities.
An integrated network of 35 Houses supports Tasmanian communities. They are strategically located to lead and coordinate community development in areas of most need. 1.
Corina spoke about the success of her initiative.
“It was amazing that heaps of people didn’t know they (Neighbourhood Houses) existed. Quite a number signed up as members of Goodwood House on the day of our exercise class which was fantastic.”
The GAP initiative emphasises the importance of integrating new community members into existing activities rather than establishing separate programs that compete for participants. This approach fosters a sense of unity and collaboration within the community, leading to increased participation and the sustainability of programs. By embedding newcomers into current activities, communities can enhance engagement, improve the overall experience, and ensure that programs remain viable and enjoyable for all involved.
Furthermore, community house visits play a crucial role in supporting this integration process. These visits facilitate direct engagement with residents, making it easier for individuals to access and support local initiatives. Such outreach efforts help boost participation in community programs, ensuring that more people benefit from available resources and activities. For GAP participants, ongoing support through community house visits encourages the continuation of health and fitness journeys beyond the formal program duration. This sustained engagement promotes long-term health benefits and strengthens community bonds, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more connected society.
Corina spoke of the participant’s connection.
“They are also sharing contact numbers. One of them has taken on the role of sending out a text message
of a lunch location once a month to reconnect with those that can make it. Fantastic outcomes for such
an amazing group.”
FEATURE PHOTO: Corina (front) and her 'Live Well, Live Long and Get Active Glenorchy' group.
produced: Sep 2025