Events and activities planned for male carers in Bradford district

Local charity Carers’ Resource is running a number of exciting activities as part of its Men Care Too project for male carers who live in the Bradford, Craven, Harrogate and Selby areas.

All Men Care Too events are free for male carers registered with Carers’ Resource.

If you’re a man, looking after somebody, these activities are a chance for you to take a break from your caring responsibilities and meet other male carers.

A bushcraft camp weekend is planned for Saturday, February 24 to noon on Sunday February 25 at Hunters Greave Scout Activity Site, Pollard Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 1EQ.

Come along and take part in fun activities over the weekend, including archery, fire craft, camp fire cooking skills and tarpology. You are invited for as long or as little as your personal schedule allows and can camp over if you wish.

This is a sequel to the successful bushcraft day held this autumn on Baildon Moor – after which one carer said: “It was the best day of my life.”

Lots of options in January

At the same location, Carers’ Resource is also holding a campfire event with free fish and chips on Saturday, January 27, from 1pm-5pm. It’s a lovely site between the river and the canal and it’s sheltered by a cover, with a building and a large kitchen available.

If a nice warm restaurant is more your style, Carers’ Resource is having a meet-up at Mumtaz Restaurant, Great Horton Road, in Bradford, from 6pm on Monday January 15.

The charity is also now offering regular friendly and informal music, jamming and games evenings at St Peter’s Church in Shipley, where you can chat to other male carers while you listen to music, with the chance to play snooker, darts and table tennis too. Perhaps try your hand at guitar or piano with a chance to pick up tips and techniques from the expert musicians. There will be free refreshments including pizza and a cuppa!

If you want to improve your music skills further, Carers’ Resource is holding regular Jazz Band Workshops for male carer instrumentalists and singers. You don’t need to be able to read music. This group would suit male carers who can play an instrument but want to build confidence to tackle complicated styles of music like jazz. Musicians will get the chance to join the Men Care Too Band.

Male carers can also join the charity’s regular strolls and coffee, and the charity is setting up some hill and moorland walks for those who want a bit more of a challenge.

And in January, Carers’ Resource is doing a series of woodworking workshops.

'A wide mix of people'

Goran Selby, Men Care Too Project Officer at Carers’ Resource, said: “Many carers have attended our activities and enjoyed them. We have a wide mix of people from different backgrounds.

“The people who attend our groups get to socialise independently and look out for each other naturally without me having to prompt them.

“Some activities such as the coffee and stroll allow the carers to dip in for an hour or so just for coffee, whilst other carers will stay for longer and do the walk. So carers can come for as long or as little depending on their time availability.”

For more details on all these activities and to join any of the Men Care Too events, contact Goran Selby on 07874 867136 or email mencare2@carersresource.org.