This presentation shares the outcomes and learnings from The Art of a Good Yarn, a social prescribing pilot delivered by The Yarns Men in collaboration with Pegasus Health and medical centres in South-Central Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.

The three-week workshop series provided a practical, non-clinical pathway for working-age men to build connection and improve social health through open, facilitated conversation. The programme helps participants identify their core values, understand internal barriers to connection (the “Monkey Mind”), and develop confidence to communicate more openly with peers, family and friends.

Across five pilot cohorts (May–October 2025), 52 men were referred, 30 attended and 77% completed the full series. Ninety-five percent said they would recommend it to other men. Participants reported improved wellbeing, greater self-awareness, better communication with whānau and rekindled friendships. These benefits often extended beyond formal measures, highlighting that much of the programme’s impact lives quietly in everyday life.

The presentation will explore the pilot’s outcomes, referral pathways and future directions, including expansion through health and community partnerships such as the Ministry of Social Development and the Rural Support Trust.

Three Key Learnings
1. Partnerships and Pathways Matter: Trusted relationships between healthcare providers, community organisations and facilitators are vital for getting men referred, engaged and supported to attend.
2. Connection Starts in the Room: Creating relatable, non-clinical spaces where men feel safe to talk leads to stronger engagement, peer trust and improved communication with family and friends.
3. Support Beyond the Session: Sustainable outcomes depend on clear follow-up and referral pathways, ensuring that connection continues after the workshop and that men who need further wellbeing support are linked to appropriate care.