Whether you love the outdoors or a cup of tea and a cake is more your thing, you’ll find something to enjoy at the weekly Leeds Irish Health and Homes men’s group. Peter Rollings, Community Support Worker at LIHH, tells us more.
“The group was established in 2018, allowing members to get together and enjoy a day out with like-minded people,” explains Peter. “It’s an inclusive and welcoming group, and we strive to offer a range of different sessions to cater for everybody’s interests and ability. Over the years, members have found out more about each other, discovered lots of common ground and some great friendships have been forged. It’s been amazing to see relationships flourish and grow.”
Building fruitful partnerships is an important aspect of Peter’s approach. “Over the years, we’ve worked closely with the charity group Canal Connections, who offer our group a regular canal boat session,” explains Peter. “You can sit at the front of the boat and watch the world go by at a slow and gentle pace. There’s nothing better than taking in the beauty of the canal with a pot of tea in your hand.” For more adventurous members, there’s also the opportunity to have a go at skippering the boat and, for those who want to take it a step further, a chance to volunteer outside of the Men’s Group and train for a canal boat licence.
No sea legs? No problem. The men’s group also regularly gets out and about in one of Leeds’ many beautiful parks or green spaces. Members can enjoy a gentle stroll and the fresh air, balancing banter and conversation with a bit of exercise. “There’s often a cuppa and a bun at the end, too,” says Peter. “We do enjoy a cup of tea.”
For those who find walking more difficult, there’s also a regular session where the group meets for breakfast or lunch. “This is a very relaxed and sociable session,” explains Peter. “We often meet in a Wetherspoons - they offer unlimited refills, after all - or somewhere similar and spend a good few hours breaking bread and chatting.”
The men’s group sessions run every Thursday and the activity is arranged a week in advance to give plenty of notice. There is some limited transport available for anyone who needs it.
What would Peter say to someone thinking about giving the group a try? “I’d tell them that our sessions are extremely welcoming with no pressure or expectations - we’re a very relaxed and happy bunch,” says Peter. “If you fancy getting out of the house and joining our band of merry men, why not get in touch?”
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For more information about LIHH’s men’s group sessions, feel free to contact Peter Rollings on 07739212735 or peter.rollings@lihh.org
