Wiltshire men boosting mental health through nature and activity programme
12 men have completed the first course of the programme
Men in Wiltshire have boosted their mental wellbeing on programme of nature and physical activity.
12 men joined the three-month course set up by the council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) in Salisbury.
It launched in February and encourages men to build social networks while taking part in activities such as hiking or woodwork.
WWT's director of education and well-being, Damian Haasjes, told Greatest Hits Radio its been a success, saying men are more likely to open up when they're active.
"Blokes like to do and talk not just sit facing someone and talking. So we've learned a lot over the years about how that makes it a lot easier," he said.
He added that stereotypes about men being 'strong and silent' are unhelpful and that men need not fear how people will respond when they open up.
"Our experience tells us that actually, when actually when men do open with their friends and their mates, they engage with that and generally it's really positive and it can really open up the conversation," Mr Haasjes said.
He told GHR that the 12 men on the course, who were a mixture of GP and self referrals, started engaging during the very first session.
"We create safe spaces," he said, adding: "We know that being in nature benefits us, but we just try and make sure that people feel safe.
"We'll open up conversation sometimes, but the conversation will quite naturally flow," he said.
Men given time to build trust
The 12-week course is designed to give people time to open up.
"We don't expect people to open up from day one. Some people will take weeks, months, so don't pressure spend time, build that relationship and you know, and let people go at their own pace, that's really important," Mr Haasjes said.
The first programme has been declared a success, with Mr Haasjes telling us attendance was 'really high'.
And off the back of that triumph, further courses are being planned in across the county - with the next one starting on 24th June. We can find out how to join the next course through the WWT website.
But the support for the first dozen participants isn't at an end.
Mr Haasjes said: "We'll touch base with group, we've got other activities over the next couple of years and we'll link them in with other volunteering and other opportunities as well in the area.
"It's been really positive."