St Carthage’s Community Care - Bloke’s Bus Group

Question:    What do you get when you throw a cheeky bunch of blokes together on a bus for the day?

Answer:       A whole lot of bad jokes but an awful lot of fun! That’s what happens when the Bloke’s Bus Group get together for their weekly road trip.

Bloke’s Bus Group out for their weekly trip

The Bloke’s Bus Group was established two years ago now, after discussions with a carer who felt there weren’t enough services available that offered variety and spontaneity, that were specifically tailored to men. The service is essentially respite for carers with the recipient/client being over the age of 65. Most of our clients are aged between mid 70’s to late 80’s and have an aged related condition of some kind including memory loss.

It’s been interesting to watch the dynamics of the group form. Strangers becoming mates and those fortunate to have better mobility or cognitive function helping those who don’t. I asked one of our younger members what he thought about the Bloke’s Bus Group. His comment was, “I didn’t think I would enjoy the group, but I just love it and hate missing it. I like being able to help the others and I usually end up carrying their beers for them.”

Visiting the vintage car museum

I think there are a number of reasons why the day works so well. We have great staff who facilitate the day and know how to find that common thread in the group that brings them all together. The men plan the destination and activities themselves. Often a day is spent visiting a place where someone grew up, talking to old neighbours and reminiscing.  These outings have great significance to them as they really get a buzz being able to share stories from their past and it’s an opportunity for us to really get to know them better.

The outings vary depending on what they want to do and what we can find in and around our local area. They go to museums, coffee plantations, a lama farm, visit vintage car and machinery museums. They even went paint-balling one week to add a bit of variety and excitement.  But really, they don’t mind what they do as long as they do it together.  A quote from one client was, “we started out just as a group of men and now we are a group of mates”.

An added unexpected bonus to this group is how the carers have formed a friendship and many of them have become a great support network for each other. The group occasionally visit each other’s homes and the carers put on a lovely morning tea and introduce them to others in their family. It’s heart-warming to see families supporting each other and truly showing an interest in what the blokes on the bus are doing. You can see the pride and joy in their face when they all get together.

Hitting the target at paintball

The Blokes Bus Group has been such a success and thanks to the wonderful committed families and staff that support them, it has been a great outcome for both the client and the carer. I can’t tell you how important it is to be open minded and try something with variety, spontaneity and purpose.  Health and wellbeing is vital as we get older and by reducing loneliness, helplessness and boredom, we are creating opportunities for more fulfilling lives for our clients.  This, after all, is what the Bloke’s Bus Group is all about.

Tracy Clement, Senior Respite Service Support Planner St Carthage’s Community Care