Perth Voice Interactive

ON Friday night recently the Activ Heartbeats presented their production Back to the Future. 

The 10-year anniversary show has sold out and is set to be a comedic, musical, sci-if and time travel inspired bonanza. 

Heartbeats are a subgroup of Active Foundation, WA’s largest disability services provider. 

Heartbeats was founded by Kim Parkin and Vanessa Strnadica at the Beaconsfield Community Hub back in 2013. To this day, they continue to teach participants with disabilities performing art skills through educational modules. 

Over the years their performances have taken them across various Perth events and venues, and now the group is one of the Activ Foundation’s most popular community initiatives.

The group’s successes and popularity is not taken for granted, especially after the closure scares of last year. 

In mid 2022, Activ Foundation, who has been operating for more than 70 years, announced it was shutting multiple sites due to funding cuts to the NDIS. 

But the closures did not eventuate, thanks to fellow provider Workpower who took over all large-scale industrial work sites.

“We’re very grateful for the support of Workpower and both the state and federal government throughout this transition period,” says Activ CEO Micheal Heath.

“It was a great outcome where everyone was able to continue working and doing what they love.” 

Support Worker and Activ team member Lauren Ranger told the Herald the extent of the Heartbeats group impact.

“It’s become a highlight in the lives of our customers and community,” Ms Ranger said.

“It gives our customers newfound performance skills, confidence, and creativity. 

“We’ve been lucky enough to receive an incredible donation of hundreds of costumes from Compressed Air Spares in Wangara…which will inspire our stories for years to come!”

Heartbeats are hoping to have a company-wide showcase in 2024.

You can keep posted on future shows, through following the Activ Foundation social pages.

by DANIELA GARBIN