He Kaiārahi - Guide our people to other services

When working with clients who are trying to quit smoking, it is unavoidable that you will recognise that some of your clients and their whānau will require ‘other support services’ over and above smoking cessation. In nearly all of our interactions with Aukati providers we are hearing the same comment. We need to also be offering services around nutrition, exercise, budgeting, education services for children, etc. Unfortunately the prevailing view is that if a client can not get the support they need under the same roof, then they will never go to that service. However if we promote other organisations services in a specific way, you will increase the likelihood of a client to seek other support services. If you have the information at hand, you know exactly where the client needs to go, you personally know the kaimahi for the client to contact, that you can sort the appointment at your end, you reduce both the actual and perceived barriers.

How do you do that?
You collaborate with other organisations. You hui with other organisations. You share resources. In many instances you will be improving the wellbeing of your community without being the deliverer of those services; you become a broker of services. In an ideal world you would could send your clients down the hall way to access other services. However, if this is not feasible, it’s about knowing ‘lay of the land’. Who is doing what? Who can help your clients? Have their services on speed dial, offer their information pamphlets. Its about supporting great outcomes for our whānau.