Partnerships

A key to the success of Healthy Parks Healthy People is building innovative partnerships that help us deliver both policy direction, and programs for all Victorians and visitors. We encourage partnerships between Parks Victoria and environment, community, and health sector organisations, including peak bodies, corporate and philanthropic organisations, various levels of government, research partners, volunteers, and a wide range of service providers. These partnerships are important in supporting our diverse community to improve their health through connection with nature.

For further information on how to partner with us contact: healthycommunities@parks.vic.gov.au

Blind Sport and Recreation Victoria

Blind Sport and Recreation Victoria (est.1977) supports more than 1,200 members with vision loss to become involved in sports, recreation and social events. Delivering a range of programs including blind tennis, aquatics, gym, circuit classes, yoga and group walks in local, national and regional parks. Much of the success of BSRV is due to the wonderful contribution made by volunteers to deliver programs that assist people of all abilities, ages, religions, cultural backgrounds and genders through programs designed to meet individual needs and reduce the risks of social isolation that can accompany vision loss.

Parks Victoria supports BSRV to deliver “The Walk in the Park” Program which empowers participants to experience the health and wellbeing benefits from participating in nature-based activities in parks. The program demonstrates increased: physical activity, opportunities for social interaction, connection to new places, knowledge and confidence building of the recreational and environmental benefits parks offer. The partnership also provides Parks Victoria with valuable feedback on how to improve accessibility and inclusivity for people who are blind or vision impaired.

Outdoors Victoria

Outdoors Victoria advocates for and supports more Victorians to get active outdoors and it is also the peak body for outdoor education and active outdoor recreation in Victoria. Working across key activities including:

1. Delivering the largest annual outdoors sector conference in Australia, the Outdoors Victoria Conference.
2. Supporting the Victorian Government Positive Start initiative to re-engage primary and secondary students in journey-based outdoor activities.
3. Promoting the available careers in the outdoors and qualification pathways.
4. Delivering Nature Stewards Program - Local people learning about and then taking action for their local environment.

Outdoors Victoria and Parks Victoria share a vision to increase participation and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based experiences. The partnership continues to demonstrate positive outcomes through collaboration across various initiatives, programs and resources. A current example is the codesign of a new resource: ‘All Victorians Active Outdoors - Inclusion and Diversity in the Outdoors’, a toolkit for Outdoor Activity Providers to increase the engagement and participation of people living with physical disabilities in outdoor activities.

Amaze Victoria

Amaze is a leading autism organisation driving positive change by advocating, influencing, innovating, mobilising efforts and opening doors. Amaze is a trusted source of information, advice and support and a willing partner with many in the development of best practice and new approaches. Parks Victoria continue to draw on the subject matter expertise of Amaze to inform the designs of more inclusive parks, development of social scripts, sharing of resources and training opportunities across the workforce.

Amaze is currently supporting Parks Victoria to become a more autism positive employer through the Autism Positive Employment program. The program delivers a range of targeted workforce training and resources that will strengthen Park Victoria’s culture, policies and workforce capabilities. Parks Victoria recognises Amaze in sharing their expertise to develop employment practices that build opportunities for new and existing autistic employees.

Heart Foundation Walking

The National Heart Foundation of Australia is a charity established in 1959. Its activities have been funding cardiovascular research, supporting health professionals in their practice, developing health promotion activities, informing and educating the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. The Heart Foundation Walking program aims to get more Australians to walk more often, to protect against heart disease. This national program is Australia’s largest free walking network and offers Australians multiple ways to get walking.

Parks Victoria collaborates with Heart Foundation Walking to deliver in-park events for walkers to experience the health and wellbeing benefits from walking in parks.

The program supports physical and mental wellbeing, social connection, the opportunity to visit new places and builds knowledge and confidence of the recreational and environmental benefits parks offer.

headspace

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation that began in 2006. They support young people aged 12–25-year-old with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support. With a focus on early intervention, they work with young people to provide support at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.

Parks Victoria and headspace Bentleigh partner to provide activities in nature as part of an early intervention program for young people affected by or at risk of early psychosis. The nature-based experiences support positive mental wellbeing and social connection for participants and help to build understanding that the restorative and protective benefits of nature can support mental health and wellbeing throughout their lives.

Soldier On

Soldier On Australia is a national not-for-profit charity which provides integrated and holistic support services for veterans and their families across services, including health and wellbeing, employment support, education and training, community participation and social connection. Soldier On’s mission is to enable veterans and their families to thrive.

Parks Victoria and Soldier On’s partnership facilitates nature-based activities that promote positive physical, mental and social health and wellbeing opportunities for ADF veterans and their families. The partnership enables meaningful participation in the outdoors and supports social connection to other veterans, which is an important element in veteran wellbeing. It also builds knowledge and understanding of the recreational benefits parks provide.