Men Only Hubs and Hubs

The end of Summer and the journey into Autumn has been a busy time for Men Only. In addition to our walks and events, we have moved into a new home and had a massive boost for the Mobile Mental Health Hub project, which is exciting.

The Ryde Depozitory

If you follow the Facebook page, you may have seen that we are now at the Ryde Depository

Now we are able to use the property, it is fantastic news for the group, and we intend to get as much use out of it as possible.

We're aiming to be there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please keep checking the Facebook page for daily updates; you can find it here;

https://www.facebook.com/menonlyiow/

Please don't forget to like, follow and comment, and share!

The Men Only Mobile Hub Project

The Mobile Hub project moves on! Joz's team at Sydenhams in Ryde generously donated plasterboard, fixings and insulation, which has allowed our hardworking volunteers to get started on the lining of the inside of the vehicle.

Being able to crack on with getting the inside restored has been a huge morale boost. Following the start of the interior cladding, we are now tackling the electrics, putting in new consumer units, go, not go switches for the off-grid electrical system (solar/battery) and cabling the sockets. In addition, we are purchasing a new 250kwh solar panel for the roof,

allowing us to operate anywhere on the Island without the need for mains electricity for lighting etc.

Next on the list is external prettying up! We have purchased the polishing heads and polish required to professionally cut back the old paint and bring a rich shine to the outside. We have a vehicle restorer as one of our Men Only Stalwarts, the volunteer group that helps to support us here, and he has volunteered his time and equipment to this enormous task.

If we can keep up this momentum, we could be on the road before the end of November!

This project will support all men 18+ by providing a mobile drop-in Hub across the Isle of Wight. It will allow men who have difficulty travelling to access the Men Only Team's services. It will also serve as a space for men to meet up, get help, advice or signposting.

For the first time (we believe!), we will be able to go directly to the people that need it most, rather than hoping they can travel to a fixed point, maybe outside their town or village. By removing the need to travel, our aim to encourage more men to seek non-judgemental support and talk will be increased islandwide. The Mobile Hub will allow adult men experiencing poor mental health, anxiety, loneliness, or disconnection to benefit from this project.

Men Only expect this to be a long-term project that will grow in the communities across the Island. We will raise awareness about mental health and available support by rolling into town in a bright and unusual mobile community Hub. In turn, we believe that will go a long way toward our continual goal of reducing the stigma surrounding men's mental health by talking openly about men's mental health. The Men Only Mobile Community Men Mental Health Hub is a long-term project, and we have no end date planned.

If you would like to donate to or find out more about this project, please head over to;

https://www.menonlyiow.co.uk/mobile-hub