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Aunty Jeans Program - Making Health Fun
28th July 2023
The Aunty Jeans Program (AJP) is a community orientated program to support Aboriginal people with or at risk of chronic illness. It helps all ages and abilities to get active and healthy through fun activities, healthy eating, exercise and education.
The program combines:
- Health promotion and health assessments
- Information and education
- Exercise sessions
- Healthy eating and
- Fun activities!
The Program has seen many positive outcomes for participants over the years, including both physical and mental health improvement and reconnecting individuals back into community.
Tom, a 76-year-old Aboriginal man, has been an active participant in the Aunty Jeans Program run by Coast and Country Primary Care, on the NSW Central Coast, since July 2016. He has many stories about how the Program has changed his life, including assisting him to lose over 20kg of weight. Just this year, with some encouragement from Program staff, he accepted the need to commence using his Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine and is now happily using this on a regular basis. Tom recently described the program as ‘saving his life’. He also described how the program was the only outing and social event that he attends which he looks forward to each week.
Last month all participants attended an excursion by ferry to the Northern Beaches of Sydney with the program staff and Team Leader, Joel Smeaton. The event was organised in collaboration with the Northern Beaches Council Aboriginal Heritage staff on Guringai Country, with the Mayor's Office providing transport and lunch at the Avalon Surf Club. Heritage staff facilitated some local story telling of the Guringai people, with an added tour to Palm Beach. A wonderful day was had by all in attendance. Tom, with tears in his eyes said, “this was the best day out adventure I have been on in all my years, it was just superb”.
The Aunty Jeans Program is dedicated to Aunty Jean Morris, for her courage and commitment in promoting healthy lifestyles within the Aboriginal community, and receives funding support from RDN.
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