It has been a busy and fun-packed winter for the Men Care Too project, run by Carers’ Resource, with male carers enjoying woodworking sessions, a campfire event, clay pigeon shooting, games nights and more.
One group got into the swing of things at an indoor golfing event at Rudding Park in Harrogate. As well as practicing their swing on a golf simulator, the carers had bacon butties and hot drinks.
Friendly and informal games nights were held at St Peter’s Church, in Moorhead Lane, Shipley, which were a chance for male carers to meet and chat, while playing snooker, table tennis and darts.
Another games night is due to be held on Wednesday, 6th March, 7-9pm, at the same venue.
A campfire event with free fish and chips took place at Hunters Greave Scout Activity Site in Leeds, where attendees learned about fire lighting.
Male carers developed their craftmanship skills during woodworking workshops at Baildon, Shipley and Saltaire Men’s Shed.
Another group gave it their best shot when they had a go at clay pigeon shooting at Coniston Shooting Grounds, near Skipton. After the carers tested their aim on the shooting grounds, they tucked into some lunch.
Also over the past few months, our Men Care Too project has organised stroll and coffee events and jazz band workshops for instrumentalists and singers.
Male carers who have joined Men Care Too have praised the project and spoken about how the service has helped them.
Jack Widdop said: “Men Care Too has helped to build my confidence.
“It has helped me to be my own person and to communicate with other people better. It’s also allowed me to build up friendships.”
Bob Marshall added: “I started coming to Men Care Too during October last year and the Bushcraft Day was really brilliant and I’m really glad we’ve got this happening. It’s just having somewhere to go and other people I can meet.
“It’s having someone to do other things with rather than being a carer all the time, because it becomes full-time.”
Over the coming weeks, more exciting activities are planned as part of the Men Care Too project.
These include more woodworking workshops, this time at Skipton Men’s Shed, on Wednesdays 14th, 21st and 28th February 2024, 10am-12pm.
There will be a coffee stroll event on Wednesday, 20th March, with male carers invited to meet at the Higher Ground Café, in Hirst Lane, Saltaire, at 10am, for a hot drink, followed by an easy social walk.
A bushcraft camp weekend will take place from Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th March at Hunters Greave Scout Activity Site, and there will be a curry night out at a restaurant in March.
Another indoor golfing session at Rudding Park is being planned for March, as are more events for male carers in Craven to meet up and enjoy.
The next Men Care Too online forum will be on Wednesday, 21st February at 6.30pm.
All Men Care Too events are free for male carers registered with Carers’ Resource.
For more details about any of these upcoming events, email Goran Selby at goselby@carersresource.org
