New Appointment - Alison Jones, Project Coordinator
Maximising the positive impact by expanding sports, well-being and employment programs throughout Western Sydney
Alison has been appointed to support Collective Leisure’s mission to increase inclusivity and access to sports and well-being programs for our local communities.
David Burns CEO said “Alison has a deep sense of social justice and brings to the team excellent experience in community development and coordination of programs. With a particular passion for employment programs working with marginalised groups which align beautifully with our purpose and mission. She’s always been a big supporter of ours, so we’re really pleased she’s now an official member of the team”.
When asked about her new role Alison said;
"I am really excited to join the Collective Leisure team. David and I have worked together since 2018 when we started an employment program for young people from refugee backgrounds to help them become swim teachers and lifeguards. I’m passionate about sport and creating positive changes in my community so I am looking forward to working with Collective Leisure to support others in my community and improve their well-being."
Alison graduated with a Bachelor of International Studies from Macquarie University in 2012. She taught Japanese language, history and sociology for several years while also tutoring Indigenous students at risk of failing. It was here that Alison developed a passion for helping young people and seeing them succeed. Realising this passion, Alison transitioned into working in community services, starting as a Youth Transition Support Worker at ADSI in Auburn where she helped newly arrived young people from refugee backgrounds access employment and education opportunities.
One of the challenges Alison first noted was the lack of a holistic and person-centred approach to supporting young people achieve their goals. To this end, Alison worked with young people to establish a holistic swimming program based on their interests. Young people were supported to attend lessons in a culturally safe space where they could make friends, relax, practice English and exercise while developing potentially life-saving skills. Working with David and the team at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, this became the CALD Academy, where interested young people were supported through free training to become swim teachers and lifeguards. For many, it was their first job in Australia.
This program has been recognised at the 2021 Zest Awards in the Exceptional Community Partnership Category and was presented at the FECCA conference in 2019 as an example of a successful and inclusive employment program. For her work on this program, Alison was recognised as the 2020 Parramatta Westfield Local Hero, receiving a $10,000 grant to support the swim program and buy burkinis for young women from Islamic backgrounds. Alison hopes to utilise the skills she gained working on this project to support Collective Leisure’s Path to Potential program.
In 2019 Alison was injured, developing a labral tear in her right hip, which required surgery. Alison has had limited mobility since then. Due to her involvement in the swim program, she knew the benefits of exercise and water-based activities to support her recovery. She now attends hydrotherapy multiple times a week and can see the positive effects. Alison’s experiences of disability are a driving force behind her passion to make sports programs more inclusive so that all members of the community can be involved, no matter their skill level or ability.
Alison also volunteers with her local high school alumni association, the Kempsey High School Alumni Network, as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Scholarship Programs Manager to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Alison’s main focus in her role will be to support Collective Leisure’s Path to Potential training and employment program; as well as coordinating activities across all projects.