• @airesum

    New charity Connect Outdoors launching alongside International Men's Day event in Maughold

    Health

    Published

    Connect Outdoors hopes outdoor activities can improve men's mental health and reduce isolation; organisers expect about 80 people at its launch-day event, BBC News reports.

    Connect Outdoors, a new charity that hopes to improve men's mental health and reduce isolation, is launching alongside an International Men's Day event at Maughold's Venture Centre, where organisers expect about 80 participants, BBC News reports.

    Archery, yoga, ice baths and guided walks are among the options. Chief executive Kate Bergquist says a key focus will be men's mental health, using activities that prompt conversation rather than promoting mental health as the main draw.

    Gary Thomas, who supports the event and leads Manx hill walks through Walking for Wellness, says many people find opening up easier outdoors than in traditional counselling. Douglas barber Joshua Moore, also involved, says men often feel comfortable raising difficult issues in barber shops.

    Why it matters

    The charity argues that services have often been built without first asking men, and organisers hope surveys at Sunday's event will help show which approaches engage them best.

    Claims & sources
    1. c2

      BBC News reports that the new charity hopes outdoor pursuits can improve men's mental health and reduce isolation.

    2. c3

      Connect Outdoors is launching alongside an International Men's Day event at Maughold's Venture Centre, where organisers expect about 80 participants.

    3. c4

      The charity wants research showing which support men are most likely to engage with, and it argues that services have often been created without consulting them first.

    4. c5

      Kate Bergquist is the charity's chief executive.

    5. c8

      Archery, yoga, ice baths and guided walks are among the activities available.

    6. c10

      Bergquist said men's mental health would be a key focus, pursued through conversation-prompting activities rather than by promoting mental health as the main draw.

    7. c11

      Organisers hope surveys completed at Sunday's event will help reveal which activities and approaches engage men most effectively.

    8. c12

      Gary Thomas supports the event and runs Walking for Wellness, which offers Manx hill walks.

    9. c13

      Thomas said many people find opening up easier outdoors than in traditional counselling.

    10. c17

      Joshua Moore, a barber in Douglas, is involved in the event.

    11. c19

      Moore said men often feel comfortable raising difficult issues in barber shops.

    Original sources

    1. BBC News
    About this AI summary

    • AI-generated original factual summary by AI Resum, based on the linked source.

    • No review, permission, license or endorsement by the source publisher is claimed. Source content and trademarks remain with their respective owners.

    Swipe up for next1 / 1