Teaming up for meaningful conversations about Indigenous health

A COMMUNITY and multi-agency group are collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to share stories and have meaningful conversations about health.

Yarn Up gatherings aim to raise awareness about immunisation and women’s cancer screenings, as well as providing education and resources on social and emotional wellbeing, and family and domestic violence.

NNSWLHD Aboriginal immunisation support officer Virginia Paden said the Yarn Ups were helping Aboriginal women spread word among families in their communities about the importance of timely immunisations and women’s health checks.

“At each Yarn Up, women gain the knowledge to feel empowered to make informed health choices for themselves and their families,” Paden said.

“By sharing stories and cultural knowledge in a safe and welcoming space, we hope to share key health messages.

“Anything that generates discussion about why vaccinations and screenings are important is beneficial.”

More than 120 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have attended a Yarn Up so far this year, with many, like Eileen Bolt, volunteering to become Health Champions.

“When the community recognises a face in and around events, they feel more confident and are open to talking about making changes for themselves and their families,” Bolt said.

“It gives them the motivation to want to make healthy lifestyle changes.”

A Yarn Up gathering is scheduled for the coming months at Tweed Heads, with four meetings held earlier this year at Grafton, Lismore, Ballina and Murwillumbah.

An essential element of Yarn Up is inviting participants to become active Healthcare Champions in their communities, providing leadership at a grassroots level, as part of the drive towards closing the gap by improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“The response to the Yarn Ups has been overwhelmingly positive,” Paden said.

“We’re now backing the Healthcare Champions identified through these sessions, providing them with the support they need to share health information throughout their communities.”

To arrange a Yarn Up for your community, [email protected] .

For more information,visit engage.nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-womens-and-childrens-health-champions-yarn.