Why study leisure and health?

Are you a people person? A good communicator? Someone who enjoys helping others and putting a smile on their face?  If this sounds like you, then an exciting career in leisure and health could be just what you’re looking for!

Maybe you’ve been working in aged care or community services for a while and want to bring a little fun to your clients’ lives and learn a new skill. Or, perhaps you’re aiming for a career that gives you the freedom to travel while putting your excellent communication skills to use.

Whatever your motivation, studying for a qualification in leisure and health can help you apply your passion for helping others to whole range of industries. Let’s take a look at a few of them…

Community, health and aged care services

Leisure and health roles are becoming highly sought-after in the healthcare and community services sectors. According to Daz Smith, a Dementia Lifestyle Consultant at Scalabrini Villages, there has been a big push in recent years towards a more “person-centred” approach to care.

“Employers are realising the benefits of this approach and looking for people who can build strong relationships with the people they care for, ” says Daz.

“It’s about connecting with them and recognising they are individuals with their own needs, passions and hobbies.”

Not your typical 9-5 desk job, a career in leisure and health is as varied as it is rewarding. It could see you working in a residential home or aged care facility planning health and lifestyle programs that your clients will love. These programs aim to improve their overall wellbeing and support their social, physical and psychological development. Roles could include a Lifestyle Coordinator or Recreation Activity Officer.

You might be organising group cooking classes, co-coordinating a fishing trip for a client who’s an avid fisher, or setting up a space for them to relax with a book.

“It’s about giving them choice, so, they can continue to do the things they enjoy in life,” says Daz.

A day in the life

A typical day might see you meeting with each person in your care to find out their interests, creating a lifestyle program that meets their needs, and assessing that program to see if it’s working. Are they happy? Are they enjoying themselves?

“You’re basically the go-to person for what’s happening in the centre or facility you’re working in,” says Daz.

“You’re not only building relationships with the people you are caring for, but connecting them with others. You’re working with community and support services, and educating the other carers on why it’s important.”

Tourism and recreation

If travel is more your thing, there are lots of exciting opportunities a qualification in leisure and health could bring. Your skills could lend themselves to roles such as: Events Coordinator on a cruise ship or Recreation Group Leader at a resort.

You might be responsible for overseeing group activities for kids at a resort or organising the on-board entertainment on a cruise ship. This could include designing programs that will keep your guests entertained and make their holiday more enjoyable and meaningful.

Youth work

If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people, a qualification in leisure and health could see you working in a youth centre. You might be designing programs that will give them independence and confidence in themselves, or finding opportunities for them to use their skills and talents to do something they are passionate about.

Broaden your horizons

Wherever your passion lies, developing a strong leisure and health skill set could open up a whole range of career opportunities that you’d never considered before. And who wouldn’t want the chance to progress in their career while having fun at the same time?!