Recently the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit had the pleasure of attending the re-opening of the Jaghu health care gym at the West Moreton Hospital and Health Services in Ipswich. The Jaghu gym was named by local elders and aims to provide the community with a welcoming, caring, culturally safe and culturally appropriate environment for physical activity. The gym utilises an Exercise Physiologist, clinical care nurse and most importantly two Aboriginal health workers. The team provides truly holistic patient centred care to the community.

Nelson the Exercise Physiologist and Val and Pauline the Senior Aboriginal Health workers explain what really makes this program work in a community setting. Not only do they provide gym care, but they also attend home visits for those who are unable to attend. This program has already had some amazing outcomes with many individuals now able to cease their medications for diabetes due to their change in lifestyle. This Aboriginal health worker led program for gym based or at home visits provides a community-based approach, delivering a safe and supportive environment for individuals to gain the best outcome.

The education session begins with a traditional yarning session, where individuals can share personal stories in a safe environment, where they can ask questions which might normally make them feel shame and where they can learn from their peers and health professionals. One of the most important components of this program is the consistent attendance of both male and female Aboriginal health workers to provide culturally appropriate discussion. These professionals have an established connection with the community and provide significant depth to the program to assist with making meaningful change.

The gym environment is only open to people who are attending the program. This focus on patient privacy reduces overall stress, shame and increases the likelihood of attendance. The program is making waves for all the right reasons because Indigenous people benefit from a culturally safe environment. The program provides guidance on exercising in the gym, how the body works, exercising at home, and eating and feeling better. All participants spoken to for this article gave due credit to the support team, citing that without their help they wouldn’t have known where to start. They stressed that the program’s cultural appropriateness is a large part of their continued attendance. “There is no shame here, it’s a safe place where we can work to better our health”.