Hauora Taiwhenua member Samantha McBride is delivering practical wellbeing support to rural men across the South Island—turning recent Rural Wellbeing Fund investment into on-the-ground impact.
Funded in part through the Government’s Rural Wellbeing Fund, Samantha’s GrowUSwell programme is reaching men working in farming, transport, building, and contracting—groups who are often less likely to engage with traditional wellbeing services.
Delivered in workplaces and community settings, the workshops are designed to be practical, relevant, and easy to engage with. Sessions focus on real-life pressures—covering stress, sleep, nutrition, alcohol, mindset, and relationships—using straightforward language and tools that men can apply in their day-to-day lives.
But it’s the peer-based approach that sets GrowUSwell apart.
While initial scepticism is common, that quickly shifts once men are in the room. Over a series of workshops, trust builds. Conversations open up. And the real value begins to come from each other.
“We’re seeing guys open up about things they haven’t talked about before,” says McBride. “But more importantly, we’re seeing them support each other. That peer element is everything.”
Grounded in Rural Reality
Across the workshops, the same challenges continue to surface—ongoing financial and workload pressures, isolation, fatigue, and limited access to support that feels relevant.
There is also a strong culture of “just getting on with it,” which can make it harder to seek support early.
GrowUSwell responds by meeting men where they are—keeping it practical, non-clinical, and focused on small changes that make a difference before challenges escalate.
Small Changes, Real Impact
Early outcomes show men are making simple but meaningful shifts—improving sleep, eating better, cutting back alcohol, and building stronger connections with others.
In some cases, the impact extends beyond the workshops. One participant shared that the programme sparked ongoing conversations within their team and helped build connections that supported a colleague through a difficult time.
For Samantha, success is simple and grounded. It’s men walking away with one or two tools they’ll actually use.
It’s a shift in mindset—from “I can’t” to “I think I can.” It’s feeling less alone, and more open to talking with others.
Backing What Works
Support from the Rural Wellbeing Fund has enabled GrowUSwell to reach more communities and reduce cost barriers—moving beyond one-off delivery to something more consistent and accessible.
It also highlights a broader lesson: programmes only work if people engage with them. For rural men, that means approaches that are practical, peer-led, and built in environments where trust can grow over time.
GrowUSwell shows what’s possible when funding backs people already doing the mahi in their communities—creating space for connection, building confidence, and supporting change that lasts.
