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 long-term health and wellbeing for people with disability.
That’s why community support is so important. Donations through this appeal will help Endeavour Foundation expand Healthy Heroes and invest in other vital health and wellbeing initiatives that empower people with disability to live healthier, more independent lives.
Will you help improve health and wellbeing for people with disability in Australia with a tax-deductible gift today?
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.
You can help build healthier futures
We want to expand Healthy Heroes nationally — but we need your help.
With support from generous donors like you, Healthy Heroes can reach more people with disability across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and beyond, while also supporting other vital health and wellbeing initiatives that help people live healthier, more independent lives.
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
- Other practical health and wellbeing initiatives for people with disability
By expanding programs like Healthy Heroes, we can help more people with disability develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take control of their health and build healthy habits for life.
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