Culturally inclusive wellness program

Gold Coast Health Mungulli Chronic Disease Service launched ‘Yarn and Walk’ in collaboration with GCPHN on 9 October 2023, a new physical activity and education program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (A&TSI) participants. Eligible individuals aged 18 and above can join with a GP referral and attendance at a nursing and physiotherapist assessment.

Yarn and Walk engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in an education and physical activity program with the support of the A&TSI community multidisciplinary team (MDT), including an indigenous health worker, physiotherapist, clinical nurses, dietician, A&TSI Nurse Navigator and Pharmacist. The program features weekly educational sessions facilitated by a member of the MDT, covering cultural activities, healthy eating, specific health conditions, medications, cardiovascular disease risk factor modification and physical activity. The physiotherapist guides clients through physical activities, supported by the rest of the team as they walk around the grassed oval at Cheltenham Park, just a 5-minute drive from Robina Hospital. Participants can also attend weekly Mungulli gym sessions at the Robina Health Precinct and other chronic disease education programs offered at Mungulli.

Yarn and Walk creates a culturally safe space for clients to build social connections. The benefits of social connections include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, improved sleep and wellbeing and overall quality of life. The trusted relationships established as part of the program provide clients with the confidence to access other health services and attend regular GP and Specialist follow ups. Yarn and Walk participants can also be referred to the wider Gold Coast Health chronic disease community multidisciplinary team, including psychology, social work, diabetes educators, speech pathology, podiatry and occupational therapy.

GP’s can refer clients to the Mungulli Clinic via the Gold Coast Health Referral Intake Hub or Smart Referrals. Alternatively, referrals can be sent directly to the Referral Intake Hub on the contacts via Fax: 56874497 or Phone: 1300 668 936.