Helping Our Community Flourish
v We don’t want to be the hearse at the bottom of the cliff”, says Pam Shackleton the Practice Manager at Martinborough Health Centre. ‘We’d much prefer our patients to be happy and healthy and not coming to see us at all!’
With that in mind Pam is leading a new community project to help people enhance their wellbeing. At it’s heart is the belief that people can make changes but that sometimes it’s not easy to do without a bit of help. This initiative is designed to offer that help in ways that are easy to access and effective. It is open to everyone in the community, not just patients of the Health Centre.
Two projects are already up and running.
The Larder
If you’ve been to the Medical Centre lately you might have noticed the fruit and veggies in the shelves inside the front door. They’ve been put there by all those green fingered people who have a surplus they are willing to share with those who don’t. It’s a win for everyone – more healthy fresh produce being eaten and less food waste. Please take advantage of it.
The Walking Group
Walking’s a great exercise but often more fun if you can do it with company. So, every Friday morning at 9am, rain or shine, a walking group sets off from Kitchener’s dairy. It’s free and all levels of fitness are catered for. Just put on your most comfortable shoes and come along. If you want more information the organiser is Les Roberts, phone 029 448 8444.
One person who is right behind these initiatives is Medical Receptionist Kiwa Mitchell. She turned her weight and her health around with the help of a lifestyle programme in Masterton. The good news is that a similar programme will be available in Martinborough in a couple of months.
“But It’s not just about physical health although that’s always important”, says Pam. “We recognise that loneliness and stress affects wellbeing too, and lack of knowledge and lifestyle skills can limit people’s lives. We hope the programme will bring people together to help each other. For instance an older gardener might be willing to pass on their knowledge to somebody younger and fitter in exchange for heavy garden work. There are opportunities everywhere and the project hopes to make sure they happen.”
This is just the start. Other plans are still being developed, such as creating community gardens, and these will be introduced in the coming months. The Health Centre newsletter is good place to find more information.
If you have ideas or activities that you would like to see happen, do let Pam know. If you have skills or knowledge that would be of benefit to the project she would love to hear from you too: Pam Shackleton, Practice Manager Martinborough Health Centre Email: practice.manager@mcc,net,nz
Phone: 06 306 9501
Chris Cassels
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