Cleaning Melbourne is renowned for its culture of care and contribution, done because of a deep commitment to help local people in communities it provides cleaning services, and well beyond.
Whether it is helping people of all ages be safer near water or providing improved opportunities for girls and women to participate in sport, to name a few, Cleaning Melbourne’s philanthropic spirit shines bright.
Now, adhering to the maxim that ‘too much is never enough’, Cleaning Melbourne has dug deep to make a major contribution to help people living with substantial functional limitations caused by disability, disease or injury to access Immersion Therapy.
The very generous $15,000 donation to the Belgravia Foundation will open doors to Belgravia Leisure’s Immersion Therapy program at WaterMarc in Banyule for people who thought they had run out of options to access this groundbreaking therapy due to financial difficulty. Cleaning Melbourne’s contribution extends the support and service it already provides to both Belgravia Leisure and Banyule City Council, a relationship that has proven strong and successful for all parties.
Immersion Therapy is an innovative evidence-based allied health service co-designed and tailored to the individual and their goals for physical, psychological and social health.
Uniquely, the program is delivered to participants when fully immersed underwater, using breathing apparatus and aquatic equipment to help participants move freely, build strength and improve mobility, often in ways impossible on land. This Victorian-first initiative offers an unparallel option to those facing profound physical and emotional challenges, restoring their freedom, joy and sense of possibility.
As a leading organisation dedicated to social impact, Cleaning Melbourne’s donation goes beyond just financial support. It represents a commitment to making life-changing therapies accessible to those who need them the most.
Cleaning Melbourne CEO and Managing Director David Gagovski said “We’re not just donating money; we’re investing in people’s lives. Immersion Therapy gives people a chance to feel alive again, to connect with their bodies and their community in ways they never thought possible. This is what true impact looks like, and Cleaning Melbourne is honoured to be part of it.”
David and Sohan Boralessa, HR Manager at Cleaning Melbourne, recently experienced Immersion Therapy firsthand.
They participated in a session at WaterMarc, where they had the opportunity to see the impact of the therapy. This immersive experience allowed them to understand how Immersion Therapy is transforming lives for people with disabilities and chronic conditions, providing them with a unique opportunity to move freely in the water, help disused muscles experience movement and become stronger, and regain lost independence.
For Tim Buckley, diagnosed with terminal cancer and battling severe mobility issues, life had become a daily struggle. Yet, thanks to Immersion Therapy at WaterMarc, Tim has found a new sense of hope.
“Immersion Therapy has been life-changing for me,” Tim said. “I’ve learned to walk on the bottom of the pool but it’s not just about physical exercise, it’s also helped me gain a sense of freedom and joy that I thought I had lost forever.”
Tim’s progress has now gone beyond the pool, once unable to walk unaided, Tim is now walking in everyday life and even parasailed during a recent holiday. His journey is a testament to the power of Immersion Therapy in restoring not only mobility but also the joy of living fully.
Dr Jeff Walkey, CEO of the Belgravia Foundation and National Disability and Diversity Manager for Belgravia Leisure, said, “Simply put, this program is a game-changer. It gives people who have faced significant physical and emotional challenges the opportunity to move, connect and thrive in ways they never thought possible”.
“The City of Banyule’s disability statistics show a pressing need for support, with 7,419 people in the area reporting that they require help in their daily lives due to severe or profound disabilities. Thanks to Cleaning Melbourne’s very generous donation, more individuals who would otherwise not have access to this life-changing therapy will now be able to benefit,” Jeff concluded.
The $15,000 donation from Cleaning Melbourne is more than just financial support, it’s part of a broader commitment to community well-being and inclusion. This donation builds on Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to ensuring Immersion Therapy can reach more people, providing them with the opportunity to reclaim their lives.
For more information on how Immersion Therapy is changing lives, please visit the Partners in Health website.
