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Engaging people from lower socio‐economic backgrounds in self‐management of their chronic disease(s) presents particular challenges (Walker & Peterson, 2003). A demonstration project (HealthPartners) targeting such clients with diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease, plus one or more co‐existing conditions and aged 50 years or older, has recently been co‐ordinated by the Canning Division of General Practice in Western Australia. Six new interventions for clients were developed, including one‐to‐one facilitation. Where the latter occurred, a key aspect of client management and commitment adopted by HealthPartners was joint preparation of action plans by client and facilitator. Such action plans covered issues identified, stage of change, goals, actions and progress (the extent to which actions specified in a previous plan had been carried out by the time the plan was revisited). The paper provides an overview of the action‐planning process and its outcomes, and the results of an impact assessment of the programme as a whole. To be effective in changing behaviour, it appears important for many clients to participate in a group with peers in a relevant activity.