FOR Mates Men’s Support Group founder Robert Reekie, winning the inaugural volunteering award at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards is recognition of the effectiveness of his approach to men’s issues.
The City of Busselton councillor started the group in 2003, providing 24-hour support to men struggling with domestic violence, depression, anxiety and homelessness.
Accommodation is provided for 120 men each year and Mr Reekie has supported 2000 men through his anger management program.
Mates is run by volunteers and Mr Reekie commits up to 70 hours a week to the group. Unlike many other services, the group does not close down over holiday periods and after hours.
“Men don’t need help during the day when they are working – it’s when they come home in the evening and on weekends that they run into problems,” Mr Reekie said.
“We have held anger management meetings every week for the past 14 years.”
The 56-year-old was moved to start Mates after seeking help for his own issues, including marriage breakdown.
“I did an anger management course and had a 28-year-old psychologist telling me he knew how it felt not to be able to see your son for three months.
“You can’t be helped by someone who hasn’t walked the walk.
“The battle we have is trying to point out that you can’t find answers in a text book.”
Mr Reekie, who has a diploma in counselling, receives no government funding. He raises $80,000 annually to help men turn their lives around.
“They are starting to recognise that what I started doing 14 years ago actually works,” he said.
This includes domestic violence strategies such as having a “cooling-off” house, leaving women and children in their own homes while men are helped to deal with their issues.
Adopted out three times before he was three years old, Mr Reekie faced harsh times growing up, including harbouring the mistaken belief that he was responsible for his father’s death.
“Rather than turn to drugs or alcohol this work has given me a pathway out. It has helped me get a lot of closure.
“When I was studying to be a counsellor I would wake up feeling so much lighter.”
Mates has about 40 men on its books at any one time.
“We get referrals from every agency in town such as police, psych wards, real estate agents and churches,” Mr Reekie said. “I still get a Christmas card every year from the first guy I helped.”
Mr Reekie was one of 11 category winners at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
“I really struggle being recognised because this is my passion and just a way of life,” he said. “There are so many worthy volunteers out there in the community doing lots of fantastic stuff.”
- (08) 9752-3217.
