Combining work and study life has proven to be a winner for Active Southland’s Gore-based Health Coach. 

Jaimee Gillan has joined the regional sports trust’s Tōku Oranga team and is working across two medical centres in Gore. 

The Gore local is currently studying towards a degree in counselling and is excited to be able to implement some of her learnings into the new role. 

Tōku Oranga is about helping people navigate their health journeys with the confidence, knowledge, and options they need to achieve optimum health outcomes – it's about setting up clear pathways to better health, and about connecting in agencies and organisations that can play a role in that journey. 

As a Health Coach, Jaimee will be working with patients to help them better understand their health needs, demystifying what can sometimes be a tricky and intimidating journey, so that people are able to set manageable and achievable health goals. 

“It’s about helping people to improve their lives.” 

Born and raised in Gore, her pathway to the Health Coach role has been varied. 

Originally studying a Bachelor of Arts at Otago University, she moved into the dental world, working as a dental assistant before progressing into dental management while living in Perth, Australia. 

Moving home in December 2020, she changed career pathway, working as a nanny while studying to become a counsellor, and then finding the role with Active Southland. 

“It just aligns so perfectly. I wanted to combine work and study life.” 

She has also been on her own wellness journey, which she believes will help her in her new role. 

The journey, which has included trying lots of different ways to exercise, has set her up well to understand the needs of people that may be struggling to find their own exercise regime, she believes. 

What is Tōku Oranga? 

Tōku Oranga (Access and Choice) is a primary mental health and addiction service based in general practices in the Southern region.  Tōku Oranga is delivered by a collaborative partnership across existing health and wellbeing providers in the region, including Active Southland.  

Health Coaches are based in general practices and work alongside Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and the general practice teams. Like HIPs, they accept same-day, ‘warm handovers’ from GP staff of clients and patients needing their help. They come from a range of health and wellbeing backgrounds, supporting people to take positive steps forward for improving their health. This includes: 

·         Empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing 

·         Helping you develop realistic goals   

·         Encouraging good management of various health issues that you want addressed 

·         Discuss how to be more active by doing things you enjoy 

Article added: Tuesday 15 August 2023