Toowoomba Regional Council's healthy living initiative, 'the Change Project' has won the Social Inclusion Award in the 2025 Business disABILITY Awards for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.
The Social Inclusion Award recognises excellence in creating and promoting an inclusive culture which supports people of all abilities.
Since 2012, The Change Project has aimed to increase physical activity participation and promote healthy living practices among residents by offering a wide range of inclusive, low-cost activities.
One of these activities is the Make the Change Sport which is a specialist class catering specifically to individuals living with a disability.
Toowoomba Regional Council Parks and Recreation Services Councillor Tim McMahon said the people involved in The Change Project had created a safe and accepting environment where the main goal was to make physical activity fun.
"This inclusive environment has led to significant improvements in resident's social wellbeing, which is just one of the many positive outcomes of this initiative," Cr McMahon said.
"We now have data to prove how successful this program has been. A recent community consultation survey revealed 92% of participants experienced an improved sense of community, while 77% reported better social connections."
"This data only relates to the social benefits of the participants, there have also been extensive physical health benefits as a result of this program," Cr McMahon said.
During the last financial year, The Change Project facilitated over 3,500 regular classes, attracting over 81,000 attendees.
Toowoomba Region residents can access pilates classes, yoga, fitness sessions, meditation, kids nature play groups and parkrun sessions for $5 per person or less.
