‘Blokes Book’ will give Bay men vital information on staying well
When men suffer ill health, their partners and families also feel the economic and social impacts.
Hawke’s Bay man Shayne Jeffares says with many families feeling the effects of social issues such as the housing shortage and increased costs of living, many men are hurting and reaching crisis points just trying to cope and hold it all together.
Shayne decided he wanted to help change that, so launched a project to publish ‘The Blokes Book’ – a 50-page full colour magazine for all Hawke’s Bay Men and their families.
The Blokes Book contains information on a range of subjects including health and wellness, parenting support, and sport and recreation for men of all ages.
“The idea, to make it accessible to anyone who feels a bloke, mate, friend, father, brother, colleague is not coping,” Shayne says.
“We have organisations sponsoring us through adverts, and we’ve got support from local councils, Napier Rotary, the Men’s Shed and several community funders, to enable this book to go out into the community for free.”
The Bloke’s Book is being printed and circulated around the community at the end of this month, which also happens to be New Zealand Men’s Health month.
“We know men often won’t share with others when they are going through something, but I think that is starting to change,” says Shayne.
“This book will see 15,000 copies circulated across Hawke’s Bay, and will bring an awareness to support groups both local and nationally, dedicated to seeing healthy and happy Hawke’s Bay men.
“We know that men’s partners and families also feel the economic and social impacts of men’s ill health. Let’s all start to work together to see better outcomes in our communities. Just by caring more for each other can be a big start.”
Shayne says he wants the Blokes Book to be used as a tool to start a conversation.
“It may be a family member, work colleague or friend, who you may know is going through something at the moment. Shout them a coffee, go sit in the sun, and just ask how’s it going. Quiet is ok, you don't have to talk, but you can share the book easily, by saying, ‘Hey, I picked this up, it looks pretty cool’.”
Anyone wanting to support the project through a club donation or sponsorship, by promoting the Bloke’s Book to their organisation’s members and their families, or by distributing it at their club community events, can contact Shayne through the Blokes Book website.
