Public benefits
Learning initiatives take a variety of approaches including; -bespoke health promotion literature to improve diet and nutrition produced in collaboration with Community Dietician and circulated to local people including families but in particular men raising health awareness in the community. -A sign posting leaflet of men’s groups produced to
help local people get involved -twice a year the organisation brings together 50 representatives from other local men’s groups to share information and experiences which increases awareness for local people. -Three DVDs of life stories produced and found to be therapeutic to participants and a useful aid for others. Benefits of participation for the older men are estimated as being increased health awareness, historical knowledge and confidence and reduced social isolation through meeting of old friends and making new friends. Individuals have chosen to take part again and again because of the reassurance and positive experiences they enjoy. Recognising the need to see more collaboration with statutory and semi-statutory bodies to promote health is a clear focus for sustainability and linking with community renewal. The organisation links with Belfast Men’s Health Group and others to ensure there is support for the ethos of community development and the sustainability of the organisation. This is also done by collaborating with the local Family Centre to promote gardening, cycling and walking activities locally which improves the overall quality of life of the beneficiaries. Bringing men's issues to the fore at a political level within East Belfast and demonstrating a common connection of problems with other men’s groups including Sligo Men’s Shed and Carlingford Men’s Group which increases awareness of the issues for others within the community. Setting up and supporting East Belfast Men’s Clinic with EBCDA to bring health benefits to men which has also been inclusive of wives and partners has had over 250 men attending for assessments. Exit surveys show overwhelming satisfaction with the interventions to reach isolated men with no harm experienced. The organisation is keeping older men out of institutional care longer and lives are saved through innovative work around Prostate awareness and other health workshops. By increasing men's involvement in the community development process in East Belfast it includes making better use of the latent skills, knowledge, experience and confidence of older men. Some men have received walk leader training, which they pass onto groups but could be viewed as a transferable private benefit but this is incidental in furthering the purposes. There are no further private benefits flowing from the purposes. The benefits to older men also trickle down support and education to the next generation of men to pass on learning and awareness and increasing acceptance by the public of the existence of social isolation, health inequality that seriously influence the life expectancy of men and impact positively women.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Progressing the recruitment of men for health activities and the establishment and support of local men's groups to keep them out of institutional care longer. This includes the engagement of men in physical activities such as walking, gardening and cycling. Also, their participation in the evening men's MOT Clinic provided in collaboration with
District Nurses. The provision of specific health MOT activities in local communities and community events across east Belfast and Castlereagh. Conducting consultation surveys and the provision of Information Stands. The development of story telling projects including the production of Documentary DVDs available to the public, and the production of periodic Newsheets. The provision of bespoke signposting data. Supporting links with Sligo Men's Shed to share health comparisons in Ireland, North and South and other Men's Sheds. Getting to know local cultural sites and Belfast historical places of interest as a way to engage men and bring them together through history projects. As a part of building confidence and improving understanding of men's place in society and their community there is an emphasis on visits to sites of significance including Dublin GPO, Four Courts, Lansdowne Road, Dublin Castle, People's Parliament, SIPTU Trade Union HQ. The devising of bespoke workshops that links with local centres of excellence including; W5 Science, Transport Museum, Somme Centre, Hilden Brewery, Men's Health Forum, St Georges Market, St. Patrick/Mahee Island, Oval Football Club, Ulster American Folk, Poverty Village, Clifton Cemetary and Poor House, City Hospital Cancer Centre. Learning from others including Glasgow and Falkirk Men’s Projects. Responding to need and the development of projects around Nutrition, Alcohol Awareness, Mental Health and taking up opportunities in cooperation with statutory and large voluntary organisations to achieve solutions.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
Who the charity helps
- Men
- Mental health
- Older people
- Unemployed/low income
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Cultural
- Education/training
- Gender
- Medical/health/sickness
- Relief of poverty
- Sport/recreation
- Urban development
- Volunteer development
- Welfare/benevolent
