Soul food support thanks to Thurso mental health group's natter and nosh sessions
There was a happy atmosphere all around during an outdoor barbecue at a mental health support centre in Thurso for Men's Health Week 2023 on Monday evening (June 12).
A men's group called Join in More (JiM) got together at the Stepping Stones support facility for a bit of blether over burgers, buns and sausages – and vegan options were included too. They were joined by Mark Rouse, managing director of Dounreay, along with Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Ron Gunn.
Outreach development manager for Listening Ear Caithness, which organises the JiM sessions, Davie Snashall said: "My responsibilities are for our peer-to-peer support groups – Join In More which is the gentlemen's group and Join and Natter [JaN] which is the women's group.
"The purpose of the barbecue is to thank everybody who supported the group over the past year or so on our journey and we're very grateful that Mark [Rouse] from Dounreay and Ron [Gunn] have come showing that working in collaboration within Caithness society is crucial."
Davie continued: "We have a gardening group [Think Health Think Nature] which is coming to an end and it's to thank everyone who came to that too. We try to do different meal nights such as pizza nights, fish supper nights and occasionally barbecues when the weather is fine like this. There are also Burns nights and Christmas ones too."
Mark Rouse, managing director at Dounreay, said he had come along to support Men's Health Week 2023 and see how the JiM group operates. "At Dounreay, we have an occupational health team and lots of resources for outreach. [We also have] mental health first aiders – teams of people trained to look after their colleagues and point them in the right direction to groups like this. We don't want to get overconfident and we look to other groups, like this one, who have more specialisation and experience than us."
Davie said it was a privilege to get the support of Dounreay and also local councillor Ron Gunn. "The evening was a meeting of similar minds, with a passion to progress support networks and structures for those experiencing life difficulties, concerns, wellbeing [and suchlike] especially in light of the collateral effects that the Covid crisis had upon everyone – now they are faced with the cost of living crisis and world events and wars."
Ron Gunn reiterated the sentiments of Mark Rouse by stating that he came along to show support and solidarity with the men's group. "It's fantastic to see all the guys coming together. I hope events like this will encourage more people to come along. It's been a good night, the food's been excellent and I must congratulate the two chefs here."
JiM group regulars, Ryan Buttress and Murdo McConnell, were the two chefs referred to and worked tirelessly on the night to satisfy all the wants and needs of the hungry men. It is hoped that Listening Ear Caithness and Caithness Mental Health Support Group can build more collaborative working relationships and partnerships in the county to bring about the "best level of service delivery and experience possible for users".
Stepping Stones, where the JiM group meet up, is on Riverside Road in Thurso and is run by the Caithness Mental Health Support Group which also has a drop-in centre in Wick called The Haven.
The JiM group has a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/488490613446938 and meet up on Mondays in Thurso at Stepping Stones (7-9pm) and Wednesdays at The Haven (7-9pm).
JaN meets on Sundays in Thurso at Stepping Stones (6.30-8.30pm).
More info on Listening Ear Caithness and the various services it runs can be found at: listeningearcaithness.org/
Davie Snashall can be emailed at: davie@cvg.org.uk or calling 07853 268837.