Health partners join together for International Men's Health Week

Men accessing York Street Health Practice, an LCH service which provides primary care for the homeless, and St George's Crypt will be encouraged to attend a range of health and wellbeing events that will be held from Monday 9 June to Friday 13 June.

John Walsh, of York Street Health Practice, said: "By celebrating International Men's Health Week, we are making sure that some of the most vulnerable people in our city receive a dedicated time that brings positive activities and information that can they can both enjoy and engage with. It's significant that the local authority, education, health, the third sector and faith sector have come together to make a difference for the better."

The week's events for men have been planned with the help of St George's Crypt clients and are designed to encourage men who don't normally engage with any services to begin to feel good about themselves. The sessions at St George's Crypt will enable the most vulnerable clients to access a hairdresser or chiropodist and give them the opportunity to explore physical fitness and overall wellbeing in a familiar environment. Health workers from a variety of services will be on hand to share information on nutrition, dental care, tuberculosis and taking care of your mental health.

Clients will also be entertained by Opera North and Urban Sprawl as well as treated to the unveiling of 'Welcome', a song written and performed by clients as part of the 'Switch ON' project designed to develop confidence through music and drama.

Professor Alan White at Leeds Metropolitan University said: "As a group, homeless men present significantly greater health needs than the general population, health needs which are often complex. The events taking place at the Crypt over International Men's Health Week, not only provide support for men to access health care and attend to any unmet health needs, but also offer chances for men regain some control in their lives, which for many men may be of equal priority."

Chris Fields, CEO of St George's Crypt, alongside Councillor Harington and Professor Alan White will officially launch the week long campaign at the Crypt on Monday. Speaking about the importance of International Men's Health Week, Chris, said: "Events like this empower our most disadvantaged clients because feeling confident and good about themselves is a major step towards employability".

Councillor Mulherin, who is supporting the campaign, commented: "We are absolutely committed to the principle that those who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. It is great this event is promoting positive health and wellbeing for those who can benefit from it the most. It is also another sign of how organisations in Leeds make a real difference by working together. Men's Health Week provides a chance for men to focus on health and work issues, including stress and unemployment."

Photo l-r: Councillor Harington, Professor Alan White, Chris Fields, CEO of the Crypt, Vicky Johnson, York Street Practice, Amanda Seims, Research Officer in the School of Health & Wellbeing, Nirmal Nangla, York Street Practice, Rev. Roger Quick, Chaplain for the Crypt, and Dr Phil Commons, physiotherapist at the Crypt and Senior Lecturer in the School of Rehabilitation & Health Sciences.