Two likeminded individuals with lived experience of mental ill health
have come together to launch a monthly social group for men in
Herefordshire who suffer with mental ill health, or at risk of becoming
ill.
Councillor Paul Stevens, Deputy Mayor of Hereford and Euan McPherson, Chief Executive of Services for Independent Living, have joined forces to set up a group where men of all ages can come together over a cuppa, a game of pool, maybe a kick about or perhaps a community project.
The Hereford Men’s Mental Health (HMMH) group will be an opportunity for men to be able to socialise with other people, in a safe environment where they know they are amongst people with similar issues.
Councillor Stevens said ‘Men’s groups have been shown to be very effective at creating a space for men to feel safe when they have mental health issues. Hereford men deserve this opportunity and I hope people will come along and join Euan and me on a Monday evening.’
Euan commented that ‘This will not be a group where you sit in a circle and talk about your problems. This is a group where we will have a bit of banter, play a bit of pool, maybe kick a ball about and when or if people want to talk about any issues they are experiencing they can. There will be no pressure to talk about anything though.’
The two have some ideas about general activities that people may enjoy but are interested to speak to people who attend the group to develop ideas for the future.
The first meeting will be on Monday 11th November from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the United In The Community (UITC) building Victoria Park, Hereford HR1 1AW. Pop along for a cuppa and say hello, no booking necessary and refreshments will be provided.
Please call Euan on 01568 616653 for more information.