about us
Giaro Health Management, formerly known as Health in Balance Advisory Service, was established in 1998.
GHM provides information on preventative methods and offers support to develop health management strategies for people with a variety of health-related needs.
It is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting optimum health and wellbeing for people with mixed abilities and long-term conditions, ensuring the services are delivered on the basis of their needs. Development of educational methods in supporting people with diverse needs is an innovation in delivery of preventative methods.
The service has made a substantial contribution to enabling health and wellbeing in the local communities in both, Havering and East London since 1992. It provided the opportunity for people of all ages to access information on preventative methods and a variety of training activities that connected them with health and wellbeing and engaged them proactively into developing the strategies for improved outcomes.
Early referrals to the service enables people with long-term conditions to remain in control over their limitations. They make informed choices, and remain connected to their community, which improves their quality of life.
As a registered member of the Complementary Medicine Association, the service continues to provide advice on a wide range of preventative methods for people of mixed ability and diverse health needs. This enables them to achieve a constructive outcome, and supports them in their health and wellbeing strategies.
3-dimensional assessment tool has been developed at the MSc module: “Integrated Approach to the Management of Long-term Conditions” – LSBU, the School of Health & Social Care. Educational model of support for people with their diverse health needs links the physical, cognitive and social aspects of their wellbeing. It has proved a useful assessment tool in delivery of preventative methods through education and functional skills training that enables their improvement.
The concept of preventative care started as a development of health promotion teaching for mixed ability students at the Havering Adult College (1988-2002) and later at the Havering College of Further & Higher Education (1992-1996).
Then, the educational and preventative methods have been applied at pioneering health projects, that included Exercise on Prescription, within collaborative pattern of work with the local GPs, nurses, hospital physiotherapists and other medical associates in East London since 1992. They referred their patients to the targeted activities to improve their health alongside conventional medical care. The individuals had a variety of chronic conditions and disabilities, such as heart, lungs and circulation problems, stroke, type2 diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, chronic lower back pain, joint problems etc. which were the cause of significant functional limitations that affected their lifestyles.
The programme outcomes and the influence of education on development of the individuals’ coping abilities were assessed and evaluated within my BA degree in Education & Training in 1998. The evidence demonstrated that the participants had developed the necessary skills that helped them attain a level of better control over limitations, achieved their own functional potential, and became more proactive and confident making choices in their lives.
The study and research has been carried out against the background of extensive educational, healthcare and medical resources.
Although the majority of participants presented multiple and complex health conditions, which often required prolonged interventions to enable improvement, the sooner individuals gained access to the activity and at the earlier stages of ill health development, the better the results and increased chances to manage their optimum health more effectively in the future.
Educational support facilitates people’s developmental progress enabling behaviour change for health and wellbeing, not merely participation in the activity. The delivery of preventative strategies using targeted personalised support and education, has proved effective in encouraging independent living and improved lifestyle, and has been evidenced over the years.
Our work continues to make a significant contribution towards the development of an integrated model of health and preventative care. It is based on building personal capacity to make healthier decisions and take greater responsibility for choices. Results include improved wellbeing and an increased chance of living independently for longer.