People with disability face serious barriers to staying healthy. Across Australia, they face higher rates of chronic illness, difficulty accessing healthcare services, and even a shorter life expectancy.
In response, we’ve developed Healthy Heroes – a practical and engaging program to help people with disability take control of their health and wellbeing.
The program includes multiple elements including cooking and nutrition workshops, group fitness and wellbeing sessions, and simple tools that people can use in their everyday lives to learn about, and practise, good health.
It also includes training for the support workers who spend time alongside participants, helping them recognise opportunities to tailor health and wellbeing support to each individual, encourage healthier choices, and build positive habits over time.
While the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds many essential supports, it does not fully cover programs, like Healthy Heroes, that can help improve health and wellbeing long-term.
Will you help us take Healthy Heroes nationwide and improve health and wellbeing for people with disability in Australia?
Did You Know
Only 18% of people with intellectual disability get enough physical activity to stay healthy.
More than half of adults with disability aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables each day.
Only 63% of people with intellectual disability report good health — compared with 94% of people without disability.
39% of NDIS participants aged 25+ report difficulty accessing healthcare services.
Even though they have a higher rate of use for services like GPs, health specialists, and hospital stays, people with disability often face major barriers to accessing them, including cost, long wait times, miscommunication, and discrimination.
Kay knows how important it is to look after her health.
When Bowen Hills Learning and Lifestyle hub took part in the Healthy Heroes pilot program and began to introduce more health education as part of their calendar of activities, Kay really got on board.
Healthy Heroes is built around a simple but powerful idea: that with the right support, people with disability can take greater control of their own health and wellbeing.
“We did Healthy Heros Bingo,” explains Kay. “Each person was given a bingo card which had their photo on it, and a bunch of activities written down in squares. Every time you completed an activity, you could cross it off, and if you completed the whole card, you got a prize.”
When asked if she enjoyed playing, Kay as quick to answer, “yes!”
For Kay, even the seemingly smallest of activities like ‘drink 1L of water’ mean a lot to her.
“It’s important for me to drink water because I’m diabetic,” she explained. “I need to make sure I’m drinking water and eating the right foods to stay healthy.”
With Healthy Heroes, Kay was able to try new activities, learn more healthy habits, and have fun with her friends while doing it.
We ran the 'Healthy Heroes' pilot program in 2025
We tested our Healthy Heroes program in three sites - Bowen Hills in Queensland, Thomastown in Victoria, and Castle Hill in New South Wales.
Staff received specialised training in health and wellbeing, and activities were planned for all three sites, including 'Healthy Heroes Bingo'.
Some of the activities were even conducted online, so that staff and clients from all three sites could have fun together.
It was a big success!
All three sites reported great outcomes, with most clients taking up the activities and challenges.
"We had some clients who are usually very shy and introverted really come out of their shell," said Marissa Nankivell, Manager of Bowen Hills Learning and Lifestyle hub.
"Some clients were even encouraging others to do things like 'drink more water' or 'eat a healthy snack', showing how engaged they were at learning new healthy habits."
Help us take this nation wide
We want to expand Healthy Heroes nationally - but we need your help!
Thanks to your donations, we could be roll out Healthy Heroes across sites in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, reaching more than 1,000 clients in its first full phase.
Funds raised through this appeal will help support:
- Professional health trainers to upskill staff
- Educational program materials and resources
- Program facilitators to deliver activities in hubs and communities
By scaling the program nationally, Healthy Heroes will help more people with disability develop the skills and knowledge they need to take control of their health and build strength, confidence, and healthy habits for life.
Our Amazing Supporters
Jaz Mrs Media
Francois D
Keep going yeah!!!!
Shelly
Good job
Brooke Hill
Anonymous
Gillian Perkins
Go girl
Evelyn Charles
You go hunny!! 🥰
Andrew & Emma Craik
You guys are machines! Such an impressive effort & a worthy cause xxx
LEE DIXON
Nicole
Go Dan!
I would love to see a demonstration at work one day?! What do you think??? 🤗 Go get ‘em