The CHAT ROOM (on wheels)

Now, that’s a different looking caravan, I thought as I walked towards the Raglan Museum and Information centre. Crossing the road I looked closer at the wording on the side. ‘The Chat Room.’ Hmmm, Never seen one of these before. 

I introduced myself to a silver haired man standing a few metres away. “Hi, I’m Steve.” “Hi, I’m Steve,” he replied. For some reason I still find it a little amusing when introductions sound like an echo. 

Steve said his job was to take the caravan around and be a good listener. Within a minute or two I found out that the Chat Room is a safe space for men to talk when life becomes a struggle. It’s a free service for our smaller communities and visits scheduled include Waikato, King Country and Hauraki locations on a monthly rotation. 

Steve, under the auspices of Male Support Services Waikato provides professional support, care and confidentiality. The more we talked the more I began to trust Steve. I thanked him for his work and for the comforting words on the inside of the caravan door, ‘We believe. We understand.’ We care. 

Face to face conversations can make a huge, positive difference in men’s lives. Men aren’t always that good at sharing and this needs to change, so thanks Steve and to the generous sponsors of this service. A full itinerary and schedule is available on their Facebook page or go to www.waikatosurvivors.org.nz/services.