A mental health walk that became a national success story has been forced to innovate using Zoom and online check-ins.
Man Walk organiser Daymien Clydesdale said he and his group were "not ready to go viral" last June, but that was exactly what happened when an innocuous post reached more than a million people.
Since then the idea of the sunrise walk has spread around the country, but coronavirus restrictions have forced the Wollongong-based originators to change the way they do things.
"We made the call early to suspend walking because it wasn't a good look for the organisation to be congregating in groups," Mr Clydesdale said.
"So we put them into hibernation three weeks before the shutdown occurred.
"We launched a campaign called Physical Distancing, Social Connection, and we have a virtual walk every Saturday via Zoom.
"One Saturday it'll be hosted by a Kiama walker, and then we send it on the road."
Local chapters taking initiative
The organisation is recording interviews with some of the Man Walk participants to increase their digital offering.
It has also created a 'COVID toolbox' with information and links to services offering financial and physical health.
"We've had 10 to 12 guys for each Saturday and other walks are holding their own Zoom catch-ups a couple of times a week," Mr Clydesdale said.
"They keep their walk schedule but just have the talking part, which is good, and we're encouraging each group to do what works for them.
"Head office can pop into those walks when they can so it's made connecting with the walks easier for management."
Plans to establish a Man Walk in every local government area
One of the goals for the Man Walk is to make it truly national by 2025.
The organisation has been working hard to develop its structure so it is able to approach government and non-government bodies for funding.
"We've already reached out to government agencies and local government councils around how we can help them and they can help us," Mr Clydesdale said.
"We've been getting positive responses — so that's the goal for the rest of 2020, to really push forward there."
