BCPP
AN RIOCHT (GAA CLUB BASED IN COUNTY DOWN)
MARK BREEN, GORDONS CHEMIST, GREENCASTLE STREET, KILKEEL
Kilkeel (Glenravel) is a small rural area within a fi shing village with a high suicide rate. For its BCPP project, the local pharmacy - Gordons Chemist - worked with retired men from differing backgrounds - both professional and manual workers - to address issues such as depression, and the men became involved in making friends, enjoying days out and exploring what it means to be a part of a community and working towards a healthy retirement.
Mark Breen, the pharmacist at Gordons Chemist in Kilkeel, was well aware of the task facing him and his team.
‘Since we got involved in BCPP, we focussed on promoting the health and wellbeing of the local male community,’ he told PiF, ‘and were intent on building partnerships between our pharmacy and a core group of 20-30 older community members to enable them to better understand their health, the wider issues that impact on their health, and - ultimately - how to begin to address those issues.
‘The project’s Lead Offi cer – Joseph Donnan - began by recruiting and engaging a core group of 20-30 older men to work with me in the design and delivery of a 24-session health and wellbeing programme that refl ected on their needs. The focus was to be on utilising an approach that supported participation of the whole group in the sessions and encouraged shared learning in addition to responding to individual needs.
‘Within the programme, I’m core to leading and delivering on ten sessions that refl ect on issues identifi ed by the group. These have included issues such as the role of the pharmacist, over-the-counter medication, long- term conditions, mental health, sleep, alcohol use etc.
‘I was also supported to co-attend/ facilitate with a minimum of four other organisations, eg, PIPS, Citizens Advice Bureau, a fi tness instructor, Aware Defeat, Cancer Focus, and a therapist. This took place through a minimum of four further sessions and sought to build the support network available to the partners and participants, and also seek to broaden
the understanding of wider issues that could impact on the group, such as mobility, fi nance, loneliness, grief etc.
‘There’s no doubt that the project has created a strong partnership between the local men and the pharmacist so that they feel able to turn to me and the pharmacy team for support and advice on our many services. We will continue to work to ensure that the same core group engages throughout and that approaches and activities are used to support their active involvement and participation.’
Newtownabbey Men’s Shed
Helen Pollen, Well Pharmacy, Rathcoole, Belfast
The Men’s Shed is now widely recognised as a project which promotes the social inclusion, health and welfare of older men. Recently, pharmacist Helen Pollen from Well Pharmacy in Rathcoole, facilitated a Level 1 project in the Newtownabbey Men’s Shed, where she delivered health-related programme over six sessions.
‘Many of the men attend the Men’s Shed on a regular basis,’ says Heather, ‘but they’re usually occupied by activities such as woodwork or crafts, so this was something completely different for them. Also, even though the project was open to all ages, it tended to be older men who attended.
‘The topics were decided by the group and issues included: alcohol misuse, smoking, prescription drugs, nutrition and health, and mental health/ mindfulness. Two of the sessions were also co-facilitated with another organisation to offer a support network of services to the group.
‘What we wanted to do,’ says Heather, ‘was to provide a warm and friendly meeting place in which we could hold a range of activities, visits and discussions to preserve and protect men’s health. We were totally focussed on working in partnership with other local organisations to embed these men in their communities to make connections to enrich their lives. Through the Men’s Shed they already share practical skills and have a workshop which is available if they want to take on a
small project.
‘The sessions were focussed on both physical and emotional needs. For one session we brought in a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Rosie Donnelly, from Rethink CBT Services and she provided them with mindfulness sessions.
‘On another, we brought along a nutritionist, who showed them how to make risotto and talked to them about a healthy diet.
‘For my part, I talked mainly about health issues but also carried out blood pressure and blood sugar checks, so there was a practical side to the project as well.
‘Overall, the project was well attended, with a minimum of fi fteen men on any one night. The feedback
Recently, Street Soccer NI became involved in a BCPP project, which was designed to reach out to a core group of twelve-fi fteen men, to encourage team building and support them in improving their health and living conditions.
Pharmacist Richard Addy, from J McGregor’s Chemist on Botanic Avenue in Belfast, is offering the men support based around housing/ employability/general health and making lasting and useful contact within the area: support, which Richard hopes will extend beyond the length of the programme.
‘This course comprises eight sessions and will co-facilitate a further twelve with relevant organisations, such as FASA, GEMS and the East Belfast Mission,’ Richard told PiF. ‘Most of the young men are aged between 20 and 25 and the project was centred around the 2016 Homeless World Cup, which was held recently in Glasgow.
‘In addition to my playing football with
the guys, I also work in conjunction with them, giving presentations on topics which are relevant to them.
was very good and everyone was very positive, so I was able to see the value that a course like this could bring to the local community - and to men in particular, who are often reticent about asking for help with regard to their health.’
STREET SOCCER NI
RICHARD ADDY, J MCGREGOR’S CHEMIST, BOTANIC AVENUE, BELFAST
Street Soccer NI is a football project for disadvantaged groups such as homeless people, people suffering from substance abuse, refugees, asylum seekers, and those who are long-term unemployed. The initiative provides free weekly football sessions and education, including coaching courses. There are currently two leagues in Northern Ireland: one in Belfast and one in Derry. The leagues involve weekly football sessions with up to 60 players.
‘I began with healthy eating, which comprised sports nutrition, as this was obviously of great interest to them, but, as I got to know them, I became more aware of the issues that primarily affected them. One of the most obvious was that of depression. A few had suggested that this might be of particular relevance, but when, one day, I asked the question ‘who has ever had depression?’, every hand went up, so I knew that this had to be one of the areas of paramount importance.
‘One of the main things that have struck me in working with this group of men is that stereotypes don’t always ring true. Although they are all homeless and are affected by an environment and circumstances that are often unfamiliar to most people, they are still young men, who are friendly and enthusiastic, who are enjoying their football and who are now taking advantage of a health promotion initiative, which can only be of benefi t to them.’ •
PHARMACY IN FOCUS - 27
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