Student Experience Director Jo Gibson is keen to support people of all abilities be more physically active, leading the charge on restarting the Achilles Dunedin chapter.
A passion for physical exercise and the drive to share that passion with others has led to the resurgence of Achilles New Zealand in Dunedin.
Otago’s Student Experience Director Jo Gibson has been working behind the scenes to relaunch the Achilles Ōtepoti chapter, which became inactive in 2021 when the local coordinator moved on.
“While I initially began with helping someone else restart the Dunedin chapter, I’ve taken the lead on it now,” says Jo.
An avid runner, and run coach, Jo wants to share her love of physical activity and encourage more people to get moving.
“I'm really passionate about supporting people in accessing physical and wellbeing activities and getting people outside.
“I have interacted with people, both personally and professionally, where there have been barriers to them interacting with physical activity.”
And that’s where Achilles comes in, she says.
Achilles International is a worldwide organisation dedicated to empowering people of all ages and abilities access physical activity and to support their participation in mainstream athletics events if they so choose. There are multiple local chapters across Aotearoa.
Achilles Dunedin relaunched at the start of October, with a group meeting at the Dunedin railway station.
“This was the Wednesday evening before the recent Dunedin floods; it really was very wet!
“A hardy three athletes, seven guides, and two guide dogs braved the inclement weather to enjoy a 2.45km walk along the cycle path, followed by beverages at Cobb & Co.”
Jo Gibson, far right, at the first Achilles Dunedin meet earlier this October.
While they’ve gotten off to a good start, Jo’s also focused on the future, she says.
“I’m already thinking about succession planning to keep the chapter going and am actively looking for more people to join us as participants, guides and volunteers.”
If you want to be a guide, Jo’s happy to help, she says.
“While there’s no formal training in New Zealand, I’ve trained as a guide in the UK and have done quite a lot of guide running and walk leading for visually impaired athletes. We have other experienced guides, and some people guiding for the first time too.”
What’s really important for guides is “communication skills and an inclusive focus”.
“Each athlete and each disability present differently for different people.
“If you’ve watched the recent Paralympics, you would have seen some athletes prefer to use a tether, some guides hold the athlete’s elbow, and some guides give verbal cues.
“It’s important that guides and athletes communicate to ensure athletes receive the support they require, if at all.”
Volunteers don’t have to be guides, Jo says.
“If you’ve got fundraising experience or are good at social media or promotions, get in touch.”
Jo’s also keen for more participants to join Achilles and get moving.
“Irrespective of your disability and as long as you’re mobile, we can help you be more physically active. If you’ve got a goal to get to a 10km, a marathon, or another athletic event, we can support you.
“We meet fortnightly at 6.15pm on Wednesdays outside the Dunedin Railway station for a run, walk, or wheel, and a cuppa afterward.
“Everyone’s welcome. The more, the merrier.”
Keep up-to-date with Achilles Dunedin on their Facebook page and find out more about Achilles New Zealand on their website.
~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications.