Wirraka Maya Health Service supports aged Indigenous population

Wirraka Maya Health Service, an organisation providing services to the greater Port Hedland and South Hedland area in Western Australia, as well as surrounding communities, has established a men's group.

The group, known as the Grumpy old fella group, is part of the Service's Indigenous family healing program, and was formed following discussions with older men in the area, who indicated that loneliness or isolation was part of their lives. This instigated a Thursday morning get together, whereby any interested men over 40 years could be picked up by Wirraka Maya staff and brought to their health centre to spend the morning in good company.

Co-coordinator of the 'Grumpies' group, Liza Andrews, says it's quickly become a great place for men to get out of the house and make friends or share stories. Already, the fledgling group has not only met to watch a movie, paint and share home cooked meals, but has been fishing at Cemetery Beach, and even taken a day trip to Point Samson.

'Activities that they actually want to do and enjoy doing are very important,' Ms Andrews says. 'They actually teach us quite a lot as well, in history about this area.'

Source: Pilbara Echo

Contacts

Wirraka Maya Health Service
1/5 Hamilton Road
South Hedland WA 6722
Ph: (08) 9172 0400
Ph: (08) 9172 0444
Fax: (08) 9140 2295
Email: pascalb@wmhsac.com

Links

• View news item: 'Grumpies' not so grumpy after all
• View website: Wirraka Maya Health Service