Meet the Team
Mood Active’s vision is to see more Australians using exercise to improve their mental health.
We do this through running exercise programs that empower people to better manage their mental health, and getting more General Practitioner’s & Psychologists prescribing exercise as treatment for depression/anxiety.
Our History
In 2012, then psychology researcher Isabelle Granville-Smith and tennis coach Cameron Wilson met at Sydney’s Black Dog Institute, as advocates for the role exercise plays in boosting mental health. They launched a program intended to:
- address the barriers people have to start and sustain their own exercise habit
- utilise best practice & research-proven exercise “dosage.”
- administer an assessment process & track results
- help each person build exercise into their well-being strategy
In July 2013, Cam ran the program’s very first Cardio Tennis class at Eastcourts Tennis in Kingsford, and Isabelle the first Fitness Circuit in Centennial Park. Mood Active was born.
Since the program’s beginning, Tania Curley (who has held roles including General Manager 2017-2021) and Cameron, have utilised their combined skills in coaching psychology, business, and communications, as well as decades of lived experience using exercise to boost mental health.
Our Committee
Our Committee members all generously volunteer their time to help out with particular skills and lots of enthusiasm.
Our Staff
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Our Volunteers
Mood Active's operations are made possible with the invaluable contribution of our volunteers, who have a diverse range of skills that they apply to Mood Active, as trainers, coaches, event organisers, and the vital behind the scenes work. We are incredibly grateful for their kind support.
Our Trainers
Many of our trainers generously volunteer their services at Mood Active.
We are kindly supported by
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Mood Active is a registered charity with full Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and all donations over $2 are tax deductible
LIFT YOUR MOOD
This is the spot to give us money
Mood Active’s sole purpose is to improve the mental health and well being of more Australian adults by ensuring that supervised supportive exercise programs are accessible and affordable to all.
We rely on the generous support of volunteers and donations, and are incredibly grateful to those who have provided their support and continue to do so on an ongoing basis.
We have deductible gift recipient status, which means your donations are tax deductible. Please keep a copy of your payment receipt for your records.
Partnering with Mood Active
Cardio Tennis is where we started over 10 years ago.
Now we provide many ways for people to learn to exercise. We are looking for sponsors to help us build our capacity to deliver to more people who are suffering with mood disorders including depression, anxiety, bi-polar and other illnesses.
I would like to enquire about sponsorship
Who are we and what do we do?
Mood Active is an organisation dedicated to enabling people to build exercise into their own mental health wellbeing routine.
We want to see more GPs and other clinicians, prescribing exercise to combat mood disorders!
We do this through supporting people on their journey to better mental health - starting with our 4WWW program.
Our programmes are built to be sustainable. As we expand, we are looking to partner with organisations that can help us grow and continue to help people with mental illness and other mood disorders across Australia in clinically proven ways that work for them.
Who do we work with?
Mood Active has partnered with Councils (City of Sydney, Randwick, Parramatta), Corporates (Jones Lang Lasalle), State Government (NSW Government) and Not-For-Profits (Stride, CASS). We can also work with family and/or friendship groups.
Our programs are based on research which shows that supervised, moderate to intense exercise for 150 minutes a week for 8-12 weeks can assist to alleviate the symptoms of mild to moderate mood disorders.
Our signature 4WWW has been co-designed by a Psychologist and Masters of Coaching graduate. Our programs can be tailored to suit small and large groups in both face-to-face and virtual settings. Over 70% of participants report an increase in both mood and physical activity levels upon completing our programs.
We need your support
We need support for to deliver our 4WWW program to vulnerable people
- our events - including large-scale events
- funding for transport – for our particpants who can't afford to travel
- equipment for the participants to us on the day
- help with developing, supporting and running the online systems that support these activities
We are looking for sponsorship partners who can help fund
- the administrative costs of running this charity, especially the travel and accommodation required for interstate expansion as well as salaries for the tiny team of Mood Active staff
- running our membership systems which are crucial for Mood Active growth to support more vulnerable Australians
What can we do for a sponsor?
Your involvement would demonstrate your support for this unique and much-needed cause. Sponsorship could provide the following opportunities:
In-house exercise programs
Our programs are suitable for anyone - and we have already tailored the 4WWW to work in a company setting for employees and managers to improve their mood - especially given the huge disruption to work practices driven by COVID-19 and the new approach to hybrid work that is sweeping the nation.
We can offer the option of running the 4WWW for your employees at a rate that will also subsidise our program for vulnerable Australians
Staff engagement
- Assisting at Mood Active events with activities on the day.
- Holding joint fundraising events, e.g. corporate golf days.
- Your staff can bring their skills to our team assisting in back-office support tasks.
Promotional Opportunities
- Facilities Sponsorship - Banners at the locations of Mood Active events.
- Co-branding of equipment – for example, shirts and caps at Mood active classes, fundraising events and Mood Active volunteer trainers.
- Online presence - web site main banner, Facebook/Instagram/Twitter, event registration and communications, banners in member e-newsletters and other emails.
- Signage and speaker opportunities at National and State-based annual fundraising events.
We can offer tiered sponsorship arrangements depending on the level of support ranging from:
- presenting partner;
- supplier partner; and
- official partner.
Classes
- How do I join?
You can join on the website here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via the button at the bottom of each page or phone our Operations Manager on 0412 190 842; our referral procedure is informal, although it does help us to know of your referrer (GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, community mental health centre etc) if any.
- How much does the program cost?
membership and the 4WWW are free as they are subsidised by our sponsors and partners. the supported exercise classes attract a small fee, generally $5.00, payable at the time of booking. Don't worry, if you have to cancel we can generally refund your fees anyway (as long as you don't leave it to the last minute).
- What is the registration/assessment procedure?
We use the DASS (Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scales) and RDQ (Remission from Depression Questionnaire) and a depression symptom checklist to assess mood functionality of each participant when you join.
- Can I attend on a casual basis?
Yes. We normally require that you undertake the free 4WWW course prior to attending supported exercise classes, but if this is not possible for you, please contact us to discuss your specific needs. We will try at all times to help.
- Can I continue to attend classes forever?
Yes, our Casual classes are designed to help you keep up your exercise routine. We do, however, encourage you to improve your confidence to the point where you can access the much wider range of exercise classes provided by community gyms such as PCYC or commercial gyms in your local area. If you can do this, then you can give yourself a pat on the back. If this takes a while (or you never get there), we will always welcome you at Mood Active classes.
- Are the exercise trainers certified and vaccinated?
Yes. Whether yoga, circuit fitness, cardio tennis, or any of our classes, all our trainers are fully accredited, insured and First Aid certified. We require all our trainers to be vaccinated for COVID-19, including keeping up-to-date with boosters.
- Is there any medical or psychological intervention offered by Mood Active?
No, we run group exercise classes. All our trainers and committee members do however have an interest in and commitment to exercise as an invaluable therapy option for treating depression and other mood disorders.
Referring GPs, Psychiatrists & Psychologists
- How do I refer a patient/client?
No formal referral letter is required. You can either call or text our Operations Manager on 0412 190 842 or use the contact form to pass on your client's details and our Operations Manager will get in touch with them. Your client can also contact us directly.
- How do I decide if this program is right for my client?
We work with people suffering from a range of mood disorders: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-natal depression and PTSD. The program is not suitable for patients suffering acute psychosis and/or at immediate risk of self-harm.
- What if my client needs support or becomes distressed during a class?
Our trainers have experience helping people who are struggling with depression/anxiety, and have access to advice and guidance from a clinical psychologist. If you would like us to stay in contact with you regarding your client’s progress we are happy to do so.
Operations
- What kind of entity is Mood Active?
Mood Active is an incorporated association and is also registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC). ABN: 89 374 919 389
- How is Mood Active managed?
The committee is currently made up of five people with expertise in group exercise, psychology research, media & communications, events and finance. The day to day management of Mood Active is undertaken by the General Manager, accountable to the Committee.
- Will my personal information remain confidential?
Yes. Information on all our participant assessment forms is protected by our constitution and we have procedures to ensure its confidentiality. We will only follow-up with your referring GP or psychologist/counsellor if you are happy for us to do so.
- Is Mood Active NDIS Registered?
No, however, our programs and classes are eligible for NDIS funding from your plan. If you have any queries on this matter, please consult your plan manager.
Funding
- Where does Mood Active get its funds from?
Grants, program contributions from participants; donations/sponsorship (private & corporate); our own fund-raising events.
- How can I contribute?
You can help us to keep Mood Active classes going by making a donation via PayPal - see the tab on the right hand side of the page - and keep your tax deductible receipt!
Finances
- If I make a donation is it tax deductible?
Yes. Mood Active is endorsed by the ATO for Deductible Gift Recipient Status (DGR).
- Is Mood Active licensed for fundraising activities?
Yes. Cert no. CFN 23385.
- Does Mood Active get its financials audited?
Yes. Our financial reports are audited annually by Sea Change Accounting.
- Does Mood Active have procedures for handling cash & expenses?
Yes. We have transparent authorisation procedures in place for all expenses and payments.
- Is the Mood Active association insured?
Yes. Public liability & professional indemnity insurance. Lloyds Policy no. GL2372 and AL0063.