Community Wellness Centre expands services with free Gippsland pop-up massage sessions
Federation University Australia is expanding health and wellbeing services through its Community Wellness Centre at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre with physiotherapy students offering free massage sessions under the supervision of registered physiotherapists.
The initiative allows first-year physiotherapy students to gain real-world clinical experience and connect the Gippsland community with local care.
Federation University’s Head of Physiotherapy, Professor Marie-Louise Bird, said the pop-up massage clinic would give first-year students an invaluable introduction to clinical practice and patient interaction from the beginning of their studies.
“These supervised sessions enable our physiotherapy students to put into practice the theory that they have learned from experienced practitioners, and use in a real-world environment,” Professor Bird said.
“While not for physiotherapy assessment, the sessions will help students to develop clinical and communication skills and build confidence early in their degree.”
It builds on the clinic’s existing physiotherapy services delivered by third and fourth-year students under the guidance of experienced clinical educators and is the first step in offering a broader range of services at the clinic.
The University will run consultation workshops in September to help identify types of group classes most needed by the Gippsland community.
Potential future offerings being investigated include wellbeing classes focused on neurological conditions – for example, dancing for people with Parkinson's disease - antenatal and postnatal health, and maternal wellbeing.
“This is the first stage of a broader vision for the Community Wellness Centre, and we look forward to hearing directly from community members so we can continue to grow services that respond to local health priorities,” Professor Bird said.
The wellness centre launched earlier this year to support student training while helping reduce allied health wait times across Gippsland, easing the pressure on regional health services.
The student-led physiotherapy clinic can assist with musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, breathing issues, arthritis and joint pain, along with chronic pain management, among other mobility-related health issues.
It was established with funding from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund and Regional Skills Fund, in partnership with Latrobe City Council.
The pop-up massage sessions will be held on 11 and 18 September. For more information, or to book a 45-minute session visit https://clientportal.zandahealth.com/clientportal/federationuniversityaustralia1
For more information on the range of physiotherapy services available at the Community Wellness Centre, including cost, visit www.federation.edu.au/forms/gippsland-wellness-centre-referral, email cwcreception@federation.edu.au, or phone 5122 6002.
If you would like to be involved in consultation workshops, please contact the clinic at cwcreception@federation.edu.au