GROUP sessions to address male loneliness and disconnection are due to be held every week this November during Men’s Health Month.
Each Thursday, The Harbour Gallery will offer a space for men to learn new skills, make friends and improve their mental wellbeing to combat depression and social isolation.
The sessions will be held at the gallery’s new St Helier location next to Normans at Commercial Buildings.
The range of activities covers various interests, from cooking and chess to music, photography, and even a Lego building challenge.
Pat Robson, co-owner of the Art in the Frame Foundation, is organising the sessions.
She explained that the event was created to foster a sense of community and connection, encouraging men to be more open about their wellbeing and improve their mental health.
She decided to launch the scheme after becoming aware of many men without a community and lacking interest in social activities, which she described as “living half a life”.
She emphasised the difference between men and women when it comes to talking about feelings and seeking emotional help, saying: “Many men seem to be depressed and lack interest in doing anything… but they are not making contact. We are really friendly, very inviting, and love having a good laugh – don’t feel awkward about coming. Everyone’s in the same boat.”
She hoped to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the events, where attendees could feel comfortable and engage in meaningful conversations.
The event was inspired by the Men’s Sheds programme in the UK, which is a community workshop where they can chat, socialise and participate in activities such as woodworking in venues including garden sheds and cabins.
“For a long time, research has shown the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person’s health and wellbeing,” the Men’s Shed website explains.
Get involved
The Men-Ships event series at the Harbour Gallery includes various activities:
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Thursday 2 November: cooking session. A chef will lead this session in the courtyard, focusing on cooking with limited facilities to make it accessible for those living in small flats. Participants will also sample different foods, including Genuine Jersey cupcakes as a sweet treat.
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Thursday 9 November: team bullet chess. No experience is necessary for this quick-fire chess session where teams change frequently, with each team having only 10 minutes per game.
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Thursday 16 November: music night. Participants can enjoy live music and engage in a chat with guitar player Paul Sharkey.
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Thursday 23 November: photography workshop. Local photographer Barney De La Cloche will teach participants how to capture the best images on their phones or cameras.
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Thursday 30 November: Lego challenge. This challenge features a mountain of giant Lego, and participants can build in pairs or teams as they take on a challenge revealed on the night.
Priced at £10 per session or £40 for a package of five sessions, the offer includes both a drink and a fun activity each week.
If successful, the sessions will continue to run throughout December too.
To book a place, you can email info@theharbourgalleryjersey.com or call 743044.
