Final Report Strong Fathers Strong Families Programme Descriptive Analysis

3.2.5 RESPONSE OF PARTICIPANTSMost organisations and stakeholders reported that despite some challenges in recruiting programmeparticipants, when men did engage with the programme, they generally responded well to it. Someorganisations said men often had low expectations of the programme and reported getting more out of itthan they expected:Testimonials from participants say things like I didn’t think it was going to be any use – [I’m]now going to tell my mates about it.[Men are] Very engaged with the programme – with the SFSF worker too – [they have] alot of respect for him and understand what he is trying to do.They ask for more and more [they] never leave. They enjoy coming to SFSF. It gives themsomething to do and a sense of purpose. Some of the men are coming to the clinic to usethe exercise equipment on other days not just when we have the men’s groups.[We] had some men come back and do the programme again – [they] wanted a refresherbecause they had just had a new baby.The one thing you notice about this programme is the input of the fellas, they really getinvolved strip themselves back to bare bones and you gain an insight into what they aredealing with underneath it all.Participants’ engagement has been great – what we have found is that once their househas been refurbished [through activities under the SFSF programme] the men areencouraged to undertake other home improvements –such as making paths, buildingfences and establishing gardens.SNAPSHOT: ENGAGING MEN THROUGH EXERCISE.Two organisations ran fitness sessions with gym equipment and commented that men were competingwith each other and bringing their children with them after school and during the school holidays. Thechildren would encourage their fathers to do more push ups or more kilometres on the exercise bikes tocompete with other men. One organisation had a competition to see who could ride the furthest on theexercise bikes, with the goal to do 50km or more. Some of the men cycled 80km or more and one cycled165km. Taking part in these activity sessions encouraged some of the men to purchase a bike. Otherswere encouraged to join sporting teams.Some organisations said while most men were engaged in the programme, attendance fluctuated andcould be unpredictable. There were some days when more men would turn up than others. Some menwanted to participate but couldn’t quite ‘get there’ because they felt embarrassed or were too shy. Despitefluctuating attendance, most organisations said that the number of participants was growing and severalorganisations reported that retention rates were high:We started with six participants and we now have 21.First report there were two participants now [there are] roughly 50 people who havecompleted the programme.[There are] close to 2000 participants at events and around 100 participants who havebeen through the programme.No one has dropped out. Sometimes they might not turn up one week but they will be therethe following week.URBISFINAL REPORT RESEARCH FINDINGS 15