(Picture caption: SnapBack Gym is a recipient of the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach Fund.)
Physical health and emotional health are intimately intertwined, and with this in mind, Palmerston North’s SnapBack Gym started its Faasoa Wellbeing Programme in 2021, funded by the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach Fund.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) fund was established to enable frequent and responsive engagements between government and Pacific communities to keep Pacific peoples informed and supported during the country's response to COVID-19.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health and wellbeing became priorities for Pacific communities with the various challenges we were faced with, says SnapBack Director Charmaine Saua.
“It is our vision to see Pacific and Māori people in Aotearoa thriving and healthy…so with funding from MPP, we were able to operationalise our Faasoa Wellbeing Programme as our key response to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19,” Charmaine adds.
The programme was designed with input from the Pacific community based in the Manawatu, and led by chair and head coach Filipo Saua, who encouraged men in the area to come and work out and talanoa in a safe space.
“The powerful stories and testimonies coming through of men attempting suicides, going through rough patches and divorce, and losing kids are some of the challenges shared,” Charmaine says.
“We are now opening more morning sessions and have expressed interest about a mountain hike challenge at the end of the programme to help our men battle suicide with the aim to improve mental and physical health.
“We are also about to launch a women’s Faasoa So'otaga Connections to help with weight battles, self-confidence and esteem, while providing a full wrap around support system.”
In the pipeline for SnapBack is another programme, Tauau to Pakahiwi (shoulder to shoulder), encouraging men to support men.
“Filipo piloted an open session and had a high turnout of 50 registered Māori and Pacific men.
“We open in prayer/encouragement, smash out a high intensity workout and have a talanoa over a healthy kai while sharing the challenges these men face.”
For the SnapBack team, it is vital Pacific people feel confident and safe in their environment, Charmain says.
“Although the Pacific population in Palmerston North is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups, Pacific people are still a minority and those with disabilities and the elderly can feel isolated and excluded from health and wellbeing environments.
“Our Pacific-centric environment, pastoral and wellbeing support is a key reason these people engage better with SnapBack than other health service providers.
“Our care of communities’ approach also ensures our wellbeing coordination team provides initial assessment needs, wrapping around pastoral support – we have strong links across our network providers that reinforce and complement strategic outcomes for Pacific peoples.”
Charmaine adds applying for the MPP funding was straightforward, and she encourages other Pacific organisations and individuals to grab hold of opportunities as they arise.
The team at MPP is gearing up to open the third round of Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach funding soon.
Visit the MPP website to stay up to date about this fund and others.