Giving it a Go

Giving it a Go: Working towards Health and Wellbeing is a collaborative and innovative project designed to help people with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, such as arthritis or back injuries, re-engage with work, education and the community.

The project has been co-designed with experts, including people who are living with chronic MSK conditions*, and aims to respond to what people in our community have told researchers we want. It is also based on research into what works for us. A cornerstone of the project is the app-based Giving it a Go Program.

The program is currently being trialled via a free app that you can download on your smartphone or tablet. It is packed with information and simple strategies to help you build self-confidence and better manage your condition.

The results of the trial will provide evidence on whether this type of intervention is useful for people who are in receipt of the Disability Support Pension (DSP), and, more broadly, for other participants who have a chronic MSK condition.

How the Giving it a Go Program Works

The program consists of nine modules designed to be completed over nine weeks, though you can take longer to complete each module if needed and you can also re-do any module whilst the app is open.

Each module contains a mix of short articles, videos and real stories from people about how they manage their musculoskeletal conditions. Each module takes around 15-20 minutes to complete. Participants will have the option to undertake additional activities, and will also have access to a private online support community. 

To be eligible you need to:

  • Be aged 18-65 years
  • Have a chronic musculoskeletal condition e.g. back pain, arthritis, injury
  • Preferably be receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP), although people who are not receiving the DSP may also take part. (You can be working or not working.)
  • Be able to complete the surveys and understand the program content in English 

This research project is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services’ Try, Test and Learn Fund. The project is designed and implemented by the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, in association with the Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science. This research has been approved by the Victoria University Human Ethics Committee.

Download the Giving it a Go App Today

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/giving-it-a-go/id154425020

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.au.giag

New registrations for the program will close at the end of March 2021. Participants who have downloaded the app and completed the registration process and initial survey questions will have access to the program until the end of May 2021. 

For more information visit the Giving it a Go website www.givingitago.com.au or contact the Giving it a Go team at givingitago@vu.edu.au

 

* CreakyJoints Australia editor, Rosemary Ainley, is a member of the Giving it a Go Expert Advisory Group. Rosemary participated in the group on a personal basis as someone who lives with several musculoskeletal conditions.

Several members of the CreakyJoints Australia community also contributed to the development of this project by participating in one of the focus groups and/or by sharing their stories in the videos made for the app.

The CreakyJoints Australia free publication A Patient’s Guide to Living with Axial Spondyloarthritis in Australia is featured in the landing pages of the Giving it a Go app.

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