Supported by Lutheran Care’s Community Connections Program, the Good Better Best Men program recently concluded in Tanunda, completing a nine-week journey for a group of local men committed to self-improvement and development.

Good Better Best Men (GBBM) is a program that focuses on supporting men to become the best versions of themselves by supporting men’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, as these aspects are crucial for their positive contributions to society.

GBBM partnered with Lutheran Care as the recipient of the Community Connections Community Partner Flexible Funding for the 2024-2025 financial year. The not-for-profit charity has hosted a series of programs, courses and workshops for men across South Australia since it was founded in 2023, but had not yet held one in the Barossa.

Helen Walker, Lutheran Care Operations Manager Family and Community Services (Barossa, Light & Lower North) said it had been rewarding to work alongside GBBM and make a real difference in people’s lives.

“The Community Partner (Lutheran Care) liaised with a local RSL and suggested the venue to Good Better Best Men to conduct their nine-week journey,” Helen said.

“We then connected GBBM to the local RSL in Tanunda, where they were offered the space free of charge to facilitate the group.

“As the Community Partner, we attended the introduction night and were blown away by the session.”

After a few introduction sessions, 10 local men committed to the nine-week program. At the final session there were 15 participants and the demographic of attendees ranged from men in their late 20s to men in their 60s.

Throughout the nine-week journey, Lutheran Care and GBBM checked in frequently to track how the group was progressing. Helen said it was fantastic to hear heartwarming reflections on the unique group of men and the bonds they built along the way.

One participant said he was walking away from the program feeling really connected to his purpose, with a community of men he can call on for support.

“A big shout out to Lutheran Care and the Tanunda RSL for giving us a space,” he said.

“All in all, it was a really beautiful space and a safe place to come and share and just be yourself. There’s so much of me that was welcomed.

“I’d really recommend this for men that struggle to feel their feelings or share their feelings. Also any men that potentially have trouble with connecting with others.”

Lutheran Care is hoping to continue to work collaboratively with GBBM to explore the potential of branching out to other areas in our service delivery region.

The strong connection we have built as the Community Partner in the region will also support GBBM facilitators to confidently refer group participants to our Community Connections program.

Find out more about the Good Better Best Men program and Lutheran Care’s Community Connections program.