Now sober for more than three decades, John had his struggles in earlier life.

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Having gone down the “wrong path”, by age 30 he was homeless and battling alcohol addiction.

It was at that time that John decided to do something about it.

“I went into long-term recovery,” he said.

“I’ve been clean and sober for over 30 years.”

Over a decade ago, whilst volunteering at a local soup kitchen, John decided to do something to support the homeless, and people struggling with addictions.

Around that time, John had his first heart attack.

Finding support during the long-term recovery process proved difficult, igniting John’s passion for his current volunteer work.

“I’m just so passionate about getting men’s health and wellbeing out there,” he said.

John’s journey has taken him from Coffs Harbour to Armidale and he has now settled here in the Hastings.

Since that time, John has completed a Certificate in Peer Support, and was one of the first qualified peer support workers in NSW.

The name for John’s first support group was selected with help from his wife.

“What can I do with the peer work in the community?” John had asked.

In response, John’s wife said: “You’re really good at blah, blah, blah.”

The name stuck, with the group named ‘Blah Blah Blah Coffee For Blokes’.

Blah Blah Blah Coffee For Blokes provides support groups for men to discuss their issues, what they are up to, and talk about recovery, life, mental health and wellbeing.

John now runs two support groups with Blah Blah Blah Coffee For Blokes, and also volunteers with Heart Health NSW.

He is also the local ambassador for The Man Walk Australia.

If John had one wish for the Camden Haven community, what would it be?

“To see more men’s groups such as Blah Blah Coffee For Blokes and The Man Walk in the Camden Haven supporting men’s health and wellbeing.”

You can find Blah Blah Blah Coffee for Blokes on Facebook, which is open to men of all ages.

“Any age group 25 to 100-plus,” John said.

“When it comes to health, age has nothing to do with it.”