Men, It'sTime to Talk!

Local project ‘Time to Talk’ start the conversation off in Princesshay during #Menshealthweek

Men’s Health Forum is in their sixth year of raising awareness of men’s health during ‘Men’s Health Week’ which runs this week from 10th to 16th June.  Past years have seen the forum focus on work and health, beating stress, diabetes and hazardous waist.  This year they are looking at the seven key numbers that men really need to know about their health.  These numbers include 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, and maintaining a waist size under 37 inches.

Local group Time to Talk is kick starting the conversation off this Wednesday 12th June in Princesshay Square between 10am to 4pm. Inviting both men and women to come along and discuss the issues the modern man faces to maintain a healthy mind and body.  This is the fifth awareness day the project team will be hosting at Princesshay, having been present in the square throughout May and June, raising awareness of mental health, isolation, and loneliness.

Anne Clayton, Time to Talk Manager said “Our awareness days have enabled us to reach out to potential service users and a wider audience.  Being able to share with people the importance of the Time to Talk project and the support we can provide has been invaluable.  We’re really looking forward to raising awareness of men’s health this week, encouraging men and women to check their health and challenging them to do better”.

Time to Talk, which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, focuses on the wellbeing and support of people with disabilities and Deaf people (BSL users). Based in Exeter, within the local charitable organisation Living Options Devon, it provides confidential listening support and practical help aiming to tackle isolation and reduce loneliness for people with disabilities and Deaf people (BSL users). Time to Talk offers free one to one telephone support and free support for Deaf people using webcam, FaceTime and Skype.  The project team can provide life coaching and BSL counselling and host regular chat and share groups throughout Devon, along with free training, information and advice sessions.  For more information contact the Time to Talk team on 0300 303 3691.

Why not come and join the Time to Talk team this Wednesday in Princesshay Square from 10am – 4pm, the project team will also be available the following Friday 21st June, raising awareness of loneliness, during ‘Loneliness Awareness’ week, let’s be more open, let’s be more together, let’s be more us.