Supporting Rise Up, Be Yourself through the Moving Communities Fund
Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) in Cairns is one of 18 recipients to benefit from Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund. Over the past year, the grant has supported PCYC Cairns to deliver Rise Up, Be Yourself (RUBY), a free physical recreation program for women who have experienced domestic and family violence (DFV).
RUBY empowers women by improving health and wellbeing, emotional resilience, self-esteem, and confidence through physical exercise and connections. Participants meet weekly for activities such as yoga or walking which are led by a dedicated fitness instructor and followed by a morning tea.
As PCYC Cairns Youth Club Manager and a member of the Queensland Police Service, Kelly Chamberlain coordinates the RUBY program. She attends each session and works closely with the participants.
“I spend time with the women. I help them build resilience, build trust in the Queensland Police Service and help them grow their sense of self-worth,” she said.
“At the same time, being a police officer on duty gives participants that feeling of safety and security.”
Support through Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund has helped PCYC Cairns employ a dedicated RUBY fitness instructor, purchase equipment and run morning teas after every session.
“PCYC is a not-for-profit charity, so we are heavily reliant on grant funding,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“A lot of women come to us and don’t own a pair of sneakers or don't have anything suitable for exercising. Kinetic’s support allows us to remove that barrier by getting them the things they need to participate.”
For Ms Chamberlain the biggest strength of RUBY is the connection its participants experience with each other.
“Victims of domestic and family violence can feel really isolated and alone. Through RUBY they realise there is this group of women, who are really supportive, and who have been through similar circumstances.”
In addition to reducing isolation, RUBY facilitates referrals to other DVF services and has supported participants to leave violent situations and find safe accommodation. Recently a participant was supported to enrol in education and find work.
“We've seen women leave violent relationships because they felt confident that they were supported,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“Assisting in that leaving is absolutely excellent but being able to help someone enrol in education and gain employment – that was the big one for me.”
As the program coordinator and a police officer, Ms Chamberlain helps the RUBY program to grow positive relationship between participants and the Queensland Police Service.
“Having trust in a police officer to have your back and make referrals and support you when you've been through something like domestic violence is really important. That is an immeasurable and invaluable byproduct of the program.”
Looking ahead, PCYC Cairns is introducing a holistic approach to the delivery of RUBY that gives participants the opportunity to participate in light exercise either in nature or out in the community.
“We know the participants have really enjoyed yoga and Pilates so we’ll keep facilitating that,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“We’re looking at doing different things too. We'll take the group to beautiful outdoor places which gets them out of the club environment and into the community.”
For Ms Chamberlain the RUBY program is part of an important network of services available for local women who have experienced domestic or family violence.
“We do have some excellent DFV services in Cairns but there can never be enough support available. I see a very steady influx of referrals for my program.”
“Getting to work so closely with the RUBY participants is a huge privilege.”
Kinetic is proud to support PCYC Cairns in their delivery of the RUBY program. For more information on the RUBY program visit Rise Up, Be Yourself PCYC Queensland. To learn more about Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund, visit wearekinetic.com/community.
Further enquiries
Loni Jeffs
Communications Specialist
loni.jeffs@wearekinetic.com