Yarra Recreation Centre group fitness instructors Sandra Kelly (left) and Robyn Payne (right) with Wendy Cornwall (centre). Photo credit: Yarra Ranges Council.

Yarra Recreation Centre in Melbourne’s outer east works closely with the local community to tackle some of the Yarra Ranges’ most prevalent health and wellbeing issues such as diabetes and social isolation.

Fit to Care is a low impact exercise program targeting carers and run by UnitingCare lifeAssist at the Belgravia Leisure-managed centre.

Local resident Wendy Cornall, as reported by Yarra Ranges Council, says she had never been one to commit to a gym program before starting Fit to Care at the Yarra Recreation Centre.

Wendy was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and is a carer for her husband. Through Fit to Care and with the help of the centre’s health club staff, she has lost 20kgs in 18 months and is significantly closer to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

But it is not just the physical health benefits that gained. Carers often face social isolation, and the weekly group get together to share information about their health issues and support each other.

Read the full story on the Yarra Ranges Council website.