WITH men’s mental health still being widely stigmatised, Langworthy Cornerstone hope to end this by bringing the men of Salford together to Man Web.
Langworthy Conerstone, which is situated just a five-minute walk from Salford city shopping centre, holds numerous activities and meet-ups from Monday to Friday for any male aged sixteen plus.
From a men’s social breakfast, history group and a 5-a-side football there is something for everyone.
The group which promote themselves as a ‘brand new approach to men’s health’, encourages men of all ages and backgrounds to come together to socialise instead of spending days alone.
Doreen Burns, volunteer at Langworthy Cornerstone, runs the history group every Thursday evening. They focus mainly on local history in Salford as the men like to know about where they live.
Doreen said:
“They are a total mixed bag of old and young. Our biggest fan is Phillip; out of everyone it has changed his life the most.
“As you get older you become invisible but even though he has suffered a stroke, which has led to him becoming disabled, everyone is still interested in what he has to say.
“Men think I’ll go and get a paper and sit in alone and watch the races, they think this is the manly thing to do. It’s making that first contact with them to make them feel special”
With suicide being the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 35, groups like Man Web want to make it easier for men to talk and ignore masculinity stereotypes.
Kellie Dwan, men’s mental health project worker at Langworthy Cornerstone was shocked by how successful the group has been since starting two years ago.
When discussing why men decided to come to Man Web Kellie said:
“We get a lot of men that feel isolated. Men often want that pub experience of playing darts but didn’t want to drink during the day, they can do this here whilst mixing with other men”
Man Web receive referrals from the Job Centre as coming along to the group boosts men’s confidence and gives them the communication skills they need to get a job.
Kellie continued:
“It’s something for men in Salford, improving not only their mental health but physical health too.
“Since the project started we had an individual that has played the 5-a-side football every week. He has now lost four stone and has gained so much more confidence”
Prior to working at Langworthy Cornerstone Kellie worked in the accident and emergency department at Salford Royal, where she said she has seen “both sides of mental and physical health”.
“Men would come in having had heart attacks which could have been prevented if they had visited their GP”, said Kellie.
“Men don’t talk and are more private. It’s like a man thing”.
Man Web often encourage men to go and visit their GP about mental and physical illness’ they face before it becomes more serious.
With the involvement from many men across Salford, the group are always looking for new activities they can put on to keep the group active.
Due to the success of the 5-a-side football team, Man Web are setting up a walking football team which will start around April.
To find out more information about Man Web or how to get involved click here.
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