BCHS Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 26
Allied Health
Getting physical
brings rewards for all
“If it wasn't for this program, I’d hate to think
where I’d be now – probably chair bound. This
program has changed my life for the better.”
This is just one of the comments left by the 94 clients who
completed the Physical Activity Program client experience
survey for 2024-25.
All reported they were highly satis昀椀ed with the program, it
was meeting their needs, and they were gaining physical, social
and mental health bene昀椀ts from attending.
From the survey results, 86 per cent of respondents felt their
strength had improved from attending sessions and 73 per
cent reported their balance had improved. A fantastic 93 per
cent reported the program helped them to complete activities
of daily living.
Exercise physiologists Ash and Joel provided 921 exercise
group sessions to clients at our White Hills site over their 12
months of action.
One client who completed a lung function test was surprised to
learn the home exercise program set by the team resulted in a
lung function improvement of 37 to 42 per cent.
“There is a large range of equipment
and a variety of exercise activities to
suit everyone at each stage of their
development and needs. It’s a good
exercise and social hub. Thank you!”
The team collaborated with the Refugee and Cultural Diversity
team to o昀昀er a six-week program to the Karen community.
From post program assessments, all six Karen participants saw
signi昀椀cant improvements in their 昀椀tness, strength and health.
The program helped to improve the participants’ upper and
lower limb strength.
26
Physiotherapy is a
valued community
service
Physiotherapist Jackson had two
fourth-year physiotherapy students
attend placement at BCHS in the
last 昀椀nancial year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience
here at Bendigo Community Health
Services,” said one student.
“I have felt welcomed by all the sta昀昀 and
supported with my learning. Week to week
I have gained con昀椀dence with working
in a community-based environment and
developed a great sense of ful昀椀lment
meeting and treating patients with Jackson
to see the positive impact we can make to
their lives.
“Any future student would be extremely
fortunate to have a placement here as the
overall sense of community is friendly and
welcoming and the level of supervision I
have received has set me up really well for
after I graduate.”
A client of Jackson’s says: “I have been a
client of Jackson’s for some time now and
have always found him to be very friendly
and professional. As a sciatica su昀昀erer I feel
much better after he weaves his magic.”
