Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups are a place for all men aged 50 and over to meet each other in an informal, social environment to share their knowledge and experiences. OM:NI men’s discussion groups have been running in Victoria since 2004, and are now found across Melbourne and in some regional areas.

How OM:NI groups work

Most local OM:NI men’s discussion groups meet monthly or fortnightly. A facilitator helps to lead the group in an informal discussion. Participants are expected to listen to each other and follow the OM:NI Group Guidelines of confidentiality, acceptance and respect. Sessions are always interesting, fun and informative.

Join your local OM:NI group

Find out if there is an OM:NI men’s discussion group in your local area by checking the OMNI group contacts. There are no formal membership requirements – to participate, simply contact the listed contact person for your local group.

For more information contact COTA Victoria on 1300 13 50 90 or by email to omni@cotavic.org.au.

Start a new OM:NI group

If there is no OM:NI group currently in your area, COTA Victoria can support you to start a new group. We have developed a number of guidance resources explaining the process:

• checklist of steps for setting up and promoting a new group
• detailed information about how to lead a group and facilitate discussion
• a complete OM:NI information and resource manual.

To discuss starting a new group in your area, please contact COTA Victoria on 1300 13 50 90 or by email at omni@cotavic.org.au

Watch an OM:NI group in action

Evaluation of OM:NI

In 2021, La Trobe University was contracted by COTA Victoria to conduct an evaluation of the Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) program. The research was supported by John T Reid Charitable Trusts.

As part of this evaluation, the researchers from La Trobe University:

1. Reviewed background information about OM:NI, including documents about its history and the OM:NI manual.
2. Conducted a desktop review using the Google Scholar database to search for literature about “best practice” ways of engaging men in group-based social activities and programs.
3. Conducted a focus group and interviews with 6 members of the OM:NI Advisory Committee (OAC).
4. Conducted interviews with 14 OM:NI Group Contacts (GCs)
5. Conducted a survey with 80 OM:NI participants (present and past)

The research aimed to find out about what was currently working well within OM:NI (Strengths), what needed improving or changing (Weaknesses), what ideas the men had about helping OM:NI thrive in the future (Opportunities), and things the men thought might threaten the sustainability of OM:NI (Threats). For the outcomes of the evaluation, read the brief OM:NI Evaluation Summary or the full OM:NI Evaluation Report.

Men’s health and wellbeing

Here are some links to other information and resources about men’s health and wellbeing:

• Learn about the surprising predictors of a long, healthy life in the TED talk ‘The secret to living longer may be your social life’.
• Read about men’s health topics on the Healthy Male (previously Andrology Australia) website.
• Find tips on living longer and healthier in every decade on the Foundation 49 website.