Building blocks

Titahi Bay Doctors Mens Group

Dr Matthew Shaw identified eleven men who had long term health conditions and who would really benefit from some focused support in relation to changing their lifestyles: the problem was they didn’t come to the practice often enough! He wanted to bring the men together, to see if they would be interested in forming a support group that would promote friendships, facilitate organising activities to benefit their health and engage them with the practice.  Six of these men were keen to form a support group, and to engage with their practice around health issues and setting goals – they just needed more encouragement to get going!

Together, they brainstormed ground rules for the group, set up a Facebook group to keep in contact, and agreed to undertake a six-week Stanford Self-Management Course. This would help them develop several self-management skills to support them with managing their chronic conditions. Green prescriptions and Kick Start Pool Programme referrals were organised, to enable subsidised entry to the Porirua pool. The men are currently attending weekly Fruit and Vegetable Co-op cooking sessions in Titahi Bay, Lite Pace exercise sessions at Te Rauparaha Arena, and are organizing weekly evening swimming sessions.

Group members have used their own networks to organize these group activities. The men have made strong friendships. They’ve developed a supportive environment for each other, and are more engaged with their practice – a success all round.