“I have been suffering from poor mental health for some time, and last June I was told that I have limited capabilities in preparing for and looking for work, which was a devastating blow for me.
I wasn’t really going out, except to buy food, but my GP was very supportive, and believes in social prescribing so encouraged me to get out and about. I was given four weeks of counselling, and I also now have a social worker who visits me each week to carry out welfare checks both for my mental and physical wellbeing.
I visited the Islington MIND Day Centre, and while I was there, I spotted the poster for the Men’s Grub Club, and signed up to take part. I was so anxious on my first day, but the session began with an ice breaking session where we all had to introduce each other, which was really welcoming, warm and friendly.
“You can forget the doom and gloom when you come to the Grub Club. It’s so good for my mental and physical health.”
The Grub Club is just a group of older men coming together each month to put on a pinny and cook. It breaks down barriers, tackles stereotyping, and gives us men the chance to learn to cook, or cook better. It’s great for our mental health, giving us something to look forward to, and our physical health too. We’re socializing, making new friends, working together and having a laugh; everyone enjoys their time together.
“I keep a poster of the Grub Club up in my kitchen, and it always puts a smile on my face.”
It’s also helping me to get out into the wider community, connecting with others, sharing ideas. I now come to the Pantry every Thursday, and to Cook for Good community meals too. I talk about my time at Grub Club with my social worker, and she has noticed how much it is helping my mental health. I keep a poster of the Grub Club up in my kitchen, and it always puts a smile on my face.”
Will you help us fund more vital life-changing projects like The Grub Club? Together, we can bring hope and community to more of our neighbours.
