Addressing men’s health issues
This week (12th – 16th June) is Men’s Health Week, the same week as Loneliness Awareness Week.
At Brendoncare, we acknowledge there is still a continuing stigma among men discussing their mental health with friends and family.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, around one in eight men experience anxiety, stress and depression. As a result, many men continue to suffer in silence.
One of the most common challenges facing men, especially those over the age of 50, is isolation especially after the death of their partner.
Sometimes, it only takes a friendly voice on the telephone or a visit to a local community club to start countering possible mental health challenges.
Through Brendoncare’s community support services, our volunteers offer a friendly voice on the telephone which can really make a difference to somebody’s day.
Our in-person and online community clubs offer a chance to connect with other local people so that they can enjoy various activities, giving plenty of opportunities to chat and enjoy a laugh together.
For Brian, Ferndown Kurling Club offered him the chance to get out and rebuild his life after the death of his wife.
“For six months afterwards, I did nothing and I did not talk to anybody. But my daughter wanted me to get out of the house. She had heard of the Brendoncare clubs and that’s what started me off.
“I joined the kurling club in November and it’s been very good meeting all these new people with smiling faces and I have made lots of new friends. When I first came in November, I found I could not talk. It was unbelievable I could be like that! Now I am starting to talk too much! I’ve got a whole new lease of life with the club.”
Brendoncare has launched a new club called the Chandlers Ford Likely Lads, which is the ideal place to enjoy some fantastic talks, activities and some excellent chat. There is a warm welcome guaranteed to all potential new members who will help to decide what the Likely Lads get up to in the future.
Michael Crutchley, Brendoncare’s Director of Care and Wellbeing, says: “Humans are sociable beings and with such a wide range of activities and support available through Brendoncare, no-one ever needs to feel isolated or alone.”
Please visit our community services website pages to find out more: Communities and Clubs – Brendoncare
