Mobile barber initiative helps cut through health barriers in Indigenous communities

Joseph Guenzler Published February 16, 2024 at 3.30pm (AWST)

news

Chris Cole from Goondir in front of the ‘Wunna Yarn Wunna Cut’ fully fitted out mobile barber caravan and truck. (Image: Supplied)

In a collaborative effort to tackle health issues among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South-West Queensland, Goondir Health Services and Origin Energy have joined forces.

Together, they are implementing a unique project that integrates traditional barber experiences with counseling services.

Origin Energy, the upstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG, has allocated $115,000 in funding to back Goondir Health Services' mobile barber shop initiative, named 'Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut.'

Goondir Health Services, operating as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, offers primary health care and related services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Southern Queensland.

*Chris Cole from Goondir is visiting communities across Queensland's South-West as part of the 'Wunna Yarn Wunna Cut' initiative. (Image: Supplied)*

The funded program employs an innovative approach to provide social and emotional well-being support, as well as mental health assistance.

Simultaneously, it aims to dismantle barriers and improve the accessibility of essential health services.

Under this initiative, a mobile barber with counseling expertise travels to communities across the South-West, aiming to offer men of all ages the chance to get a haircut while having open conversations about their lives.

Goondir CEO Floyd Leedie said the initiative "has already been successfully piloted in the region with an external contractor, which demonstrated demand for the program".

"Issues identified with that model have been remedied and improved through a referral pathway and collaboration of Counselling Services with botwh the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service and Southwest Queensland Hospital and Health Service," he said.

"The program aims to empower clients to feel good on the outside as well as the inside."

The funding helped get a mobile barber caravan and lease a Dodge Ram truck for its transportation.

"It also provides an opportunity to support and link clients, who may not usually be inclined to access support, in with other referral pathways and services," Mr Leedie said.

"Through initiatives like this, more health support can be provided to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which in turn contributes to their overall wellbeing."

General Manager Asset East for Origin, Steve Thatcher, said he is proud to support initiatives that assist in the health and wellbeing of people in the communities.

"We aim to work responsibly and respectfully with our local communities and to identify opportunities for Origin and our employees to make a positive difference."

 'Wunna Yarn, Wunan Cut Barber Shop' program will be officially launched on 28 February 2024.