Improving Health & Enhancing Opportunities

This is a joint initiative with WINZ that aims to restore and improve the health and wellbeing of participants currently receiving sickness or invalids benefits to encourage their return to meaningful health enhancing employment. The first year of the project was externally evaluated by Massey University.
 
Suitable clients to participate in this programme are identified by the WINZ case manager and they must have a physical assessment with their GP prior to commencing the 6 week individualised programme. Services provided include physiotherapy and a supervised gym programme, relaxation/ massage/ mindfulness programme, dietary advise, psychologist input, and pilates/walking and pool activities.
Of the 41 clients enrolled in the second funded year of this programme:
 
6 (15%) of the clients found part-time or full-time employment while on the programme; 35 (85%) of the clients are now able to work, and 19 are currently with ‘Workbridge’, a programme which provides further support for those seeking to gain employment.
 
Other benefits as perceived by the participants include:
Physical benefits: weight loss, increased strength/flexibility, improved peak flow, increased exercise tolerance and energy levels.
Psychological benefits: enhanced self esteem. improved confidence, feeling more positive about the future, learning new skills/knowledge to self manage more effectively. Participant feedback has also been consistently validating of the programme as a whole and the enthusiasm and helpfulness of all the staff.