Sheffield charity is supporting men who are feeling isolated and lonely by helping them make new friends

Sporting Chance Sheffield, which is part of the Volunteering Matters Charity, has been delivering men’s engagement and physical activity sessions in North Sheffield for the last 18 months.

Mark Hible, Sporting Chance Sheffield project co‑ordinator, said: “We have engaged with more than 100 individuals over that time, who have come to us for a variety of reasons.

“Some have suffered with bereavement and loneliness, mental health issues, others have had strokes, heart attacks, diabetes other illnesses/conditions.

“We offer a warm welcome to men aged 50 and over. Weekly sessions take place and offer a mix of discussion, board games, cards, dominoes, quizzes, short walks, circuit training, and chair based exercise, bowls, boccia, badminton and others.”

He said the sessions, which run at Stocksbridge Leisure Centre on Mondays, from 1.30-3.30pm, Stubbin community centre, Deepcar, on Tuesdays, from 1-3pm, Firvale community hub, Burngreave, on Wednesdays, from 11am-noon, and Firth Park bowls pavilion, on Thursdays from 2-4pm, are friendly and informal and a great way to make new friends, get fitter and get out of the house.

He said social isolation and loneliness can have an impact on mental and physical wellbeing and can increase over the winter months.

Mark said: “I would strongly recommend that men come along and give our sessions a go.

“We have had many men who were feeling lonely/suffering with depression or poor health, join in our sessions and continue to stay and thrive.

“It can be difficult making that first step to join a new group, but we always give people a warm welcome and a cuppa. People can choose which activities they wish to participate depending on how they are feeling.”

For more information about coming to sessions or volunteering, email Mark at [email protected] or call him on 07841 430171.