And Now For Something Completely Different

 Let's Try To Spread The Good Word

Generally I will moan, complain and huff at everything. I have been active here for two months now and it's something I do to vent at times. It's a good outlet. 

But it can also be an outlet for good. So for once, I am going to try to share the good work that regular people do. 

People can help. Good People Are Out There 

Check out young Clyde here. My mates new pup!

Since deciding to open up about my own struggles, I have become a lot more aware of the people out there trying to make the world a better place. I wanted to share some of that here. Which makes a change from the usual absolute drivel I spout. for Clarity, I have no affiliation or connections with any of these organisations. I just wanted to acknowledge the work these people do for the wider community. 

Man On - Invercyde - Are one such service who do amazing work. In their own words - 

“Man On!” is a peer support service for the men of Inverclyde. We are involved in this due to the impact suicide has had on our own lives through our own experience, friends or family members"

The work these guys do to provide support and a safe place to speak up for the men (and women, they have recently set up a woman's group) of Inverclyde is fantastic. The support the guys offer for all manner of mental health issues has proved vital and continues to do so. They are making a real difference. I listened to the most recent podcast and the the reach they have built in such a short time is testament to the hard work of the whole team. 

Morton In The Community - The community arm of my football team, Greenock Morton FC. These guys do a huge amount for our local community, from kids football sessions, employability sessions (helping people get back into work) Home learning, physical fitness sessions to, the reason I first tuned into them, their version of Andy's Man Club called 'Team Talk'. Another avenue for men to find support and a safe place to be able to share their thought and feelings.  

Speaking of Andy's Man Club, if you are not based in Inverclyde, the link above will show you where all of the clubs around the country are based.  

Moving a little further afield. Another initiative, that I missed at first, was that of the legends at Hidden Lane Brewery who opened their brewery up to the good people of Tranceform to host mindfulness sessions for the people in the  Finnieston area of Glasgow as well as making the upstairs area of the brewery available for people to use as a workspace, a place to relax and unwind. Art workshops and brewing. Check out Tranceform on social media, they are great. 

Great Beer and Good People... what a combination. 

Clearly something that has come out of the last 12 months of uncertainty is a more fostered spirit of community. Community Gardens like Belville Community Garden and Broomhill Community Gardens and Hub are restoring those areas to the communities they once were. Working with Inverclyde Community Food Hub, the Belville community garden folks are helping to improve the lives of others. Also, Inverclyde Shed and Shore Street Gardens, again providing a place for people to go, create, reducing isolation and fostering community growth at the same time. 

It's amazing to me that all these places are driven and maintained by hard working (almost entirely) volunteers. 

It really does warm the cockles of even the most embittered cynical little men (me). All about being community minded, offering space to just get people out of the house, or in covid times to have people to talk to. Kindness is an energy. 

Lastly, although I can't link to them. I want to give a shout out to my friends and colleagues at BT & EE. There is a fantastic Peer 2 Peer support network of over 300 volunteers providing support to anyone within the company who reaches out. They are invaluable and fantastic. 

Nobody should ever feel like it's not good to talk. Reach out, to friends and family if you can. If you need more then maybe start by looking into some of the great volunteers above.