Improving cardiovascular health a foot at a time

_{L-R: Stephan Devitt, Christine Curry, Bradley Brosnan, Ashleigh Baker and Matthew Hedges}

A new initiative to improve the cardiovascular health of clients at Te Korowai-Whāriki – the regional forensic and rehabilitation inpatient mental health service – has been given a kick-start with the donation of 23 pairs of new running shoes.

Shoe Clinic Porirua donated the shoes as part of the Activate Group programme. The programme encourages and motivates clients to participate in more physical exercise for good cardiovascular health.

“This is an incredible contribution for our programme and demonstrates a very strong partnership of people working to improve health outcomes for our clients,” said coordinator and occupational therapist Matthew Hedges.

The Activate Group programme is a partnership of Te Korowai-Whāriki occupational therapists and dietitians alongside diabetes nurse Christine Curry, Ashleigh Baker from Sports Wellington, a group of allied health professionals, and Jeremy Boyd from Shoe Clinic in Porirua.