A collaborative partnership between Addiction and Mental Health Services (AMHS) Exercise Physiologist Lukas Berlage and Peer Workers is helping consumers improve their confidence, wellbeing and connection through movement.
The 10-week physical activity program, running at Logan Community Care Unit (CCU), combines clinical exercise support with peer-led encouragement to make physical activity feel safe, welcoming and achievable for consumers.
Activities include exercise circuits, basketball, boxing, mindfulness-based activities, bushwalks, pickleball and exercise-based games designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing.
Lukas said the partnership with Peer Workers had become one of the most important parts of the program.
“As an Exercise Physiologist, I bring the clinical side of things such as assessment, exercise planning and education, while Peer Workers bring connection, relatability and engagement,” he said.
“That partnership helps exercise feel less intimidating and more achievable for consumers.”
Peer Workers also help continue activities beyond the Exercise Physiologist’s time on site, creating more opportunities for residents to stay active and connected throughout the week.
Lukas said the program encouraged residents to take part at their own pace and find movement that suited them.
“We want people to find movement that feels realistic and enjoyable,” he said.
“It is not just about fitness. Exercise can improve mood, confidence, sleep, routine and social connection.”
Having worked within AMHS for just over two years, Lukas said some of the biggest achievements were seeing consumers attend a group for the first time, build confidence and reconnect socially.
“Sometimes the biggest wins are people realising they are capable of more than they thought,” he said.
With the first 10-week program coming to an end at Logan CCU, the team is looking forward to using the learnings to support more physical activity sessions there and other CCUs in the future.
Exercise Right Week
As part of Exercise Right Week, Lukas is running interactive sessions across CCU’s where residents and staff will work together through exercise-based stations, finishing with a staff versus consumer relay.
Community Exercise Physiologists will also be offering free health screens, including basic health measurements and general advice around exercise participation and next steps. This spans across WCHC, Logan and Bayside.
Exercise Right Week is a national initiative running from 23–30 May, which highlights the benefits of working with accredited exercise professionals and promotes the role of safe, appropriate and enjoyable exercise in supporting overall health.