Get informed, mate to mate
A NEW program aimed at older men is now up and running on the Coffs Coast.
Mate to Mate is an initiative of the Council On The Ageing which looks at how Home and Community Care services can contribute to a person's long term independence.
Program coordinator Chris Smith said Mate to Mate uses a peer education model to inform men about the services are available to them.
"Peer education is very effective because - as the name suggests - educators are the peers of the people they're communicating with," Chris said.
"The people who train to become COTA NSW peer educators don't go into sessions intending to tell people what to do. Instead, they say 'look here is some information, let's discuss it.' This strikes a chord with older men because they like to analyse and dissect things themselves. They're not going to be 'lectured at' during a Mate to Mate session."
The Mate to Mate Project is now being piloted in the Mid North Coast area.
"This is a great chance for older men's groups in the area to be the first to book a Mate to Mate information session.
"We're only taking bookings until September 2012 and we have a limited amount of space so they will need to be quick."
Any group of older men can book an information session, simply phone the COTA NSW Peer Education Team on 02 9286 3868.
