Project Background:

People in Australia are experiencing an increased sense of social isolation, poor levels of mental health and wellbeing and perceived loss of community. The Australian Government has made investments at the local and federal level to address these issues, but it is unclear which types of investment are most effective.

Public aquatic and recreation centres (PARCs) are one area of investment designed to contribute to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the communities they serve.  However, there is no robust evidence for the effectiveness of PARCs in delivering such benefits in order to inform policy and practice.

The majority of these PARCs do not generate profits or even cover costs, and despite considerable public sector spending physical activity and social engagement in the Australian population is declining. This raises the question of whether significant levels of government funding into this sector are justified?

Our Aims:

This research project is funded by the Australian Research Council and aims to provide an evidence base to justify government spending of PARCs on the basis that they provide a quantifiable increase in wellbeing for the communities they serve. In order to achieve this, we will investigate the impact on individual wellbeing through the use of public aquatic and recreation centres within Australia. Therein, we will

a) explore if different types of activity and facilities lead to variant levels of social and emotional wellbeing

b) examine how differences in the way PARCs are governed and operated lead to variations in wellbeing outcomes

Research Process:

This project utilises a mixed methods design including both, qualitative and quantitative measures:

• Organisational Audits to review systems, orientations and processes at both the local council and PARC level.

• Interviews with managers to review and collate the inputs and activities of PARCs as well as facilities, services and other aspects of delivery that create or hinder opportunities for wellbeing outcomes.

• Employee Survey to assess employee engagement and relationships with user experience and subsequent wellbeing outcomes.

• Population Survey to explore wellbeing outcomes as a result of non-PARC related sport and leisure activity.

• PARC User Survey to explore the impact of activities and experiences specific to individuals within and across PARCs that may positively or negatively impact on wellbeing outcomes.

• Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) and Quantified Self (QS) measures

• A short questionnaire to assess behaviours, perceptions, or experiences in real time (i.e. daily over a four-week period) using a customised mobile application. Quantified Self (QS) measures will be obtained via a wearable device (e.g. FitBit wrist device).

• System usage data from PARC databases to obtain frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) inputs.