The Big Leeds Chat roadshow headed to Bramley Community Centre to meet the West Leeds Men’s Network run by Barca. The group meets regularly so members can share conversation over a cup of tea and a biscuit.
About 10 people joined us for this Big Leeds Chat. What did people at West Leeds Men’s Network say?
Mental health was an important topic for the men at the Men’s Network – both their own and their loved-ones. Lockdowns and the pandemic had been tough for some (although others noted upsides like the peace and quiet that let them hear birds singing).
Some of the group had found online services and platforms a really useful way to look after their health, but there was a lot of acknowledgement that many people aren’t able to use digital options at the moment.
A number of people in the group said they had had a tough time getting support from primary care options like GP surgeries and 111, in part because appointments seemed scarce. A couple of the men also told us that they had either lost the one-to-one support they had once had, or the path they had to follow to get one-to-one support had felt quite complicated.
What next steps did our decision-makers take away from their chats?
“Why do charities have to justify their funding? and continually bid for funds? What about their services users?”
“Access to GP and triage – frustrating to repeat same situation/story every time. Digital appointments and booking system doesn’t always work for some individuals”
“Mental health – opportunities to talk (not specific services).”
