Men's health and wellbeing encompasses physical and mental health, and encompasses a range of topics from preventative care to mental health support. Key areas include regular health screenings, balanced diets, exercise, mental health support, and limiting alcohol and tobacco use. Encouraging open communication and building strong social connections are also vital for overall wellbeing.

Key Areas of Men's Health and Wellbeing:

• Regular Health Screenings: Routine check-ups can help detect health issues early.

• Balanced Diet and Exercise: A nutritious diet and regular physical activity can prevent many health problems.

• Mental Health Support: Openly discussing mental health and seeking support can combat isolation and improve wellbeing.

• Avoiding Smoking and Limiting Alcohol: These habits can significantly improve overall health.

• Building Strong Relationships: Social connections provide emotional support and improve mental health.

• Managing Stress: Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise and relaxation techniques, is important.

• Prioritizing Sleep: Aiming for 7-8 hours of quality sleep is crucial for overall health and wellbeing.

Tips for Improving Men's Health:

• Get regular check-ups: Visit your doctor for routine screenings.

• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

• Get active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week.

• Manage stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise or spending time with loved ones.

• Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.

• Connect with others: Build strong social connections and engage in activities you enjoy.

• Consider professional help: Don't hesitate to seek professional help for mental health concerns.

Resources for Men's Health and Wellbeing:

• Movember: A global charity focused on men's health issues like mental health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

• Men's Health Week: An annual event promoting awareness of men's health issues.

• NHS (National Health Service): Provides a range of resources and support for men's health.

• Piedmont Healthcare: Offers mental health tips for men.

• SuperWellness: Provides resources and information on men's health.

In South Wales, a variety of support systems exist for men's health and wellbeing, including peer support groups, mental health services, and community-based initiatives. These resources aim to address mental, physical, and emotional well-being, fostering connection and providing avenues for men to seek help and support.

Organizations and Groups:

1. Brothers in arms cymru: Phil Williams Brothers-in-arms2025@outlook.com 01443 400 791 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1219861516033689/

2. Domestic Abuse Services: Steven Harris Stevenharris@wa-rct.org.uk 01443 400791 https://www.facebook.com/rctdomesticabuseservice

3. Interlink RCT Wellbeing Co-ordinators: Mitchell Hughes Wellbeing Coordinator, Taff Ely Contact me about: practical, emotional and social support. mhughes@interlinkrct.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/InterlinkRCT

4. Marauders Men`s Health: hello@marauders-menshealth.0rg 07375 647435 www.marauders-mens-health.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/282940253418562

5. Pontypridd Men`s Shed: Contact Andy on 07708 251 268 Pontypriddmenshed@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/pontymenshed

6. Reel Minds CIC: 14a Market Street, Pontypridd, CF37 2ST info@reelminds.org.uk 07854 713319 https://www.facebook.com/ReelMindsCIC

Other groups:

• Lads & Dads: A men's mental wellbeing support group offering advice, meetups, walks, and sea dips according to Lads & Dads.

• Men's Sheds: Community-based organizations offering safe spaces for men to connect and improve their health and wellbeing. Locations include Penllergaer and Pontarddulais according to Swansea Bay University Health Board.

• The Rally Men's Mental Health Peer Support Group: Offers Thursday evening social meetings at Loughor RFC for men experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, with free refreshments and a one-day bus pass according to Swansea Bay University Health Board.

• Stand Tall Wales: Offers ongoing Strength and Wellbeing sessions in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan, including meetups to discuss health and wellbeing topics and group workouts according to Stand Tall Wales.

Mental Health Services:

• NHS 111 Wales: Provides a 24/7 mental health support line by calling 111 and pressing option 2 according to NHS 111 Wales.

• Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.): Offers a confidential listening and support service.

• Mental Health Matters Wales (MHM Wales): Provides a range of mental health services, including information, advocacy, training, and support according to MHM Wales.

• Shout: A text service offering free, confidential, and anonymous conversations about how you're feeling according to Give Us A Shout.

• Talking Connections: Offers professional counselling tailored to men's mental health needs.

Other Resources:

• Befriending Services: Offered by Men's Sheds Cymru, these services provide regular contact and support to isolated men.

United Kingdom Men`s Shed Association:

Home | Men's Sheds Association | UKMSA

Phone: 0300 772 9626 – Our team are normally available between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Our address is UK Men’s Sheds Association, 49 Station Road, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6EA.

• admin: admin@ukmsa.org.uk.

• membership: @ukmsa.org.uk.

• research: @ukmsa.org.uk,

• workwithus: @ukmsa.org.uk.

Men’s Sheds encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their local

communities.Improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation.

By now you’ve likely discovered that the Men’s Shed concept started in Australia around 1999. It then spread to New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, Canada and, more recently, Europe and the USA with a total worldwide of around 2000 Sheds in 2020.

Sheds are mainly ‘grassroots’ community activities that come about in response to shared needs. These have mostly been for men to access tools, workbenches, skills and opportunities to make and mend in the company of others. Gardening, computing, electronics and other activities have been included according to members’ interests. The UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) regard a Shed as the group, whether or not it has a base for activity.

An alternative to grassroots, bottom-up development, is where an established organisation creates and takes full responsibility for a Shed as an additional part of its work. Occasionally, an organisation might provide one or more support functions to an independent Shed such as underwriting the finances or providing management services.

Sheds bring health benefits by encouraging physical and mental activity, and improved wellbeing by providing an enjoyable way to stay socially integrated in local communities, by being creative, and learning or passing on skills. Whilst most Sheds are for men, about a third involve women. There are now also some all women Sheds.communities.

Improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation.

Reel Minds CIC,

14a Market Street, Pontypridd, CF37 2ST info@reelminds.org.uk 07854 713319 https://www.facebook.com/ReelMindsCIC

Market Street Pontypridd Every Wednesday afternoon

Pontypridd Men`s Shed Contact Andy on 07708 251 268 Pontypriddmenshed@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/pontymenshed

We are an independent peer 2 peer support group for men of all ages and backgrounds. Providing creative, practical & social activities in order to help combat Loneliness Social exclusion & the prevalence of suicidal thoughts.

Mondays Shed & Breakfast:

Taff Meadow Community Centre, Treforest CF372D

10:00am till 14:00pm

Wednesdays Main Event:

Taff Meadow Community Centre, Treforest CF372D

10:00am till 12:00pm

Fridays Shed & Breakfast:

Trallwng Community Centre, 1 Ralph St, Trallwng. CF37 4RH

10:00am till 15:00pm

Monday to Friday Woodfellas Wood Shop:

75 East St, Trallwng CF37 4PH

09:00am till 14:00pm

Men`s Shed Cymru:

Mens Sheds Cymru - The home of Mens Sheds in Wales

Robert Visitainer Reginal co-ordinator UKMSA

https://www.facebook.com/MensShedsCymru

UK Men's Sheds

e: admin@ukmsa.org.ukt: 0300 772 9626

‘Men’s Sheds’ are social groups set up in local communities for the benefit of men. They are self-governed, self- supported and sustainable with a small committee; their own individual constitution, their own income and their own premises.

Each individual shed is unique and the activities that take place depend entirely on the skills and interests of the men.

You’d be forgiven for thinking a men’s shed is all about making things out of wood, there is also a huge array of other activities on offer. Shedders are artists, collectors, story-tellers, amateur radio enthusiasts, train spotters, model makers…..Anyone is welcome and any interest, skill or project is given equal consideration – especially if it could attract new members or gain valuable income to support the development of the entire group.

Marauders Men`s Health,

hello@marauders-menshealth.0rg 07375 647435 www.marauders-mens-health.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/282940253418562

Interlink RCT Wellbeing Co-ordinators Mitchell Hughes Wellbeing Coordinator, Taff Ely Contact me about: practical, emotional and social support. mhughes@interlinkrct.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/InterlinkRCT

Domestic Abuse Services.

Steven Harris Stevenharris@wa-rct.org.uk 01443 400791 https://www.facebook.com/rctdomesticabuseservice

Opposite Lloyds bank Tonypandy Every Wednesday afternoon

Brothers in arms cymru,

Phil Williams Brothers-in-arms2025@outlook.com 01443 400 791

Little Shed Tonypandy Every Wednesday evening

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1219861516033689/