With support from a Stay On Your Feet® Move Your Body Grant, the Shire of Narrogin delivered a six-week Ballroom Fit program to help older adults improve their balance, strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing.
The program combined evidence-based falls prevention education with fun, low-impact dance sessions led by a Ballroom Fit instructor. Weekly afternoon teas also provided valuable opportunities for participants to connect socially, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen community connections. The initiative welcomed older adults from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse community members.
Thirty-four participants completed the program evaluation, which included pre- and post-program assessments measuring balance, lower body strength, and emotional wellbeing. The results highlighted the program’s success in increasing participants’ knowledge, confidence, and motivation to stay active.
Following the program:
- 94% agreed that falls can be prevented.
- 97% reported a greater understanding of the importance of strength and balance exercises.
- 91% intended to continue strength and balance activities at home.
- 100% said the program was relevant, beneficial, and worth continuing.
Participants reported feeling more confident, learning practical strategies to reduce their risk of falls, and developing stronger social connections within their community. Many also expressed enthusiasm for participating in future falls prevention programs.
The project strengthened the Shire of Narrogin’s capacity to deliver evidence-based falls prevention initiatives and established a valuable partnership with Ballroom Fit for future program delivery. By making falls prevention education fun, accessible, and socially engaging, the Move Your Body Grant has helped local older adults build healthy habits that support falls prevention and healthy ageing.
Interested in a Move Your Body grant?
Applications are now open for Move Your Body grants of up to $5,000 (plus GST) to fund community falls prevention projects in Western Australia from March to May 2027.