WHAT’S HAPPENING INSIDE

YMCA CENTRE FOR LIFE

The new YMCA Centre for Life will be a welcoming and busy community hub. We look forward to helping our community members access more than just health and wellness programs and services; think partnerships with social service agencies, healthcare programs for disease prevention and rehabilitation, and no one turned away due to their financial circumstances. Take a look at what will be happening inside your new YMCA Centre for Life.

THIS IS COMMUNITY

The new YMCA Centre for Life will be a place of connection for individuals and families who can spend active and distraction-free time with each other, and socially isolated individuals will make connections that will help alleviate feelings of loneliness.

Together with our partners, we will provide opportunities for young adults to acquire education equivalencies that will allow them to pursue post-secondary education. People of all ages will be able to find volunteer opportunities and children and adults will be supported in their mental and physical health.

And we serve our whole community, from young children who will learn the important life skill of swimming, to people recovering from illness or injury who can access rehabilitation services and seniors who will find support and resources as they age, we welcome everyone.

HEALTHCARE AT THE Y

Our innovative partnerships with Belleville General Hospital, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Cardiologists, Family Physicians, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and the Ontario Lung Association make the YMCA Belleville Branch a part of the continuum of healthcare from prevention to post-rehabilitation.

YMCA Canada believes that each YMCA has a single purpose: to improve the health and well-being of Canadians in spirit, mind, and body.

Prescription to Health Program

This program is a partnership between the YMCA of CEO, Queen’s University Health Centre, Belleville Nurse Practitioners and Belleville and Quinte West Health Centre.

Quinte patients affiliated with partnering agencies can receive a prescription, which can be taken to either branch for a complimentary 60-day gym membership. The Prescription aims to tackle the growing problem of sedentary lifestyles by addressing common barriers of motivation and access. Participating physicians and other qualified health care professionals can give patients a written prescription for physical activity. The Prescription aims to prevent future illnesses that are closely associated with a prolonged, sedentary lifestyle.

Post Rehab Maintenance Program

Led by Certified Trainers and designed for those who have experienced a cardiac event or have been diagnosed with high risk factors for heart disease, metabolic disorders, chronic lung disease or have experienced a stroke.

The Program includes cardiovascular, strength, balance & flexibility components and ends with a guided meditation for improved quality of life. Participants are either referred by Hotel Dieu Hospital, Belleville General Hospital or have signed approval of a Cardiologist or Family Physician.

Stroke Recovery Program

The program consists of both dryland and aquatic sessions. Participants are referred by a Hospital Rehabilitation program and all participants must have approval from their physician and bring a caregiver to class.

We work with participants on their balance and build from them having to have help, to doing an exercise on their own. Most come with little experience in the water but end up loving the time they spent in it and being able to move freely. Training and proper exercises are provided to the aquatic staff by a physiotherapist.

Mental Health Matters

Health is more than just the absence of illness or your physical fitness level.

It’s also about your social, mental, and emotional well-being. At the YMCA we know that physical activity and exercise are key to improving symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety. We also know that community connection and a sense of belonging is important. Together with programs such as our regular yoga and meditation classes that focus on gentle movement to improve the mind~body~spirit connection, the new Centre for Life will offer even more opportunity for meeting friends, socialising, and linking to community services.