Aboriginal Family Holiday Program: Promoting Health and Wellbeing

Aboriginal people view health holistically. To them it includes social, emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, cultural, community, relationship aspects and connection to country1-2.

This program was developed in consultation with the local Aboriginal Elders, the Aboriginal health service and Aboriginal families.

It was designed to nurture health and wellbeing and provided an opportunity to build rapport between community members and our health service. Reconnection to culture, community and country in turn increased resilience, self esteem and awareness of healthy lifestyles.

The aims of this program were to: •design and deliver a program that met the needs of the community and was culturally appropriate.

•to demonstrate healthy eating, physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

•create supportive environments that build resilience, confidence, self esteem and social connectedness within the community.

A 12 day program was conducted over the January and April 2012 school holidays and included the following highlights:

• Visits to local culturally significant sites

• Sports Day featuring Indigenous games

• Family Swimming Day

• Art and Craft Activities

• Bush tucker walk with native food taste testing

• Fishing

• Overnight cultural tour to Lake Tyers Trust – an old mission

• All events had an underlying focus of healthy eating and physical activity.

Evaluation of the program included:

• Qualitative and quantitative assessments: Post questionnaires/group discussions

• Multimedia data collection: Photos and video interviews  

• Our program provided an enjoyable opportunity for Aboriginal families to reconnect to country, culture and community.

• Rapport was established between the local Aboriginal community and health service providers.

• Significant changes in health related behaviours were recorded.

• Program design was culturally appropriate and met the needs of the community.

This project was undertaken with funding provided by the Victorian Department of Health. West Gippsland Healthcare Group would also like to thank our partners.

Captions to be added here

Introduction

AimAim

Results

Method

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Cindy Mathers, Alyce Rees and Angela GreenallCommunity Health, West Gippsland Healthcare Group

• This program was popular with both children and adults: this was demonstrated by increasing daily attendance as the program progressed.

• The fishing day was most popular in January. The overnight trip to East

Gippsland was the most enjoyable activity in April.

• A significant improvement in health related behaviours was recorded. This included enjoyment of healthy food provided and trying new foods.

• 83% of the participants developed of new skills such as fishing, drumming, talking to new people and playing new sports.

• 86% of the participants learnt more about their culture. Everyone who visited Lake Tyers Trust felt more connected to their traditional culture and ancestors.

• 86% people felt more connected to their local community by spending time in the program and doing activities with other community members.

• A flexible program design allowed our team to respond to the needs of the community during the program delivery.

‘The time me and my children spent with my extended family has been so special. I feel so much more connected to my culture than what I have felt in a long time – thanks so much’. Drouin Community Member

 

 

Local Aboriginal families enjoy Indigenous games, collecting eggs and cultural activities during the school holiday program

Holiday program participants enjoyed activities such as an overnight trip, fishing, drumming and swimming.

Resources:1.Australian Government (2012) Australian Indigenous Health Infonet retrieved June 29, 2012 fromhttp://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/overviews/the-context-of-indigenous-health2.Purdie N, Dudgeon P, Walker R, eds. (2010) Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing