by Helen Fay
A Men’s Health Week event at a community centre in Bramley will see the launch of a special EP of music made by a men’s group.
Next week (12 to 18 June) is Men’s Health Week, which is an annual event to raise awareness about the health challenges faced by men and promote strategies for better physical and mental well-being.
In order to both celebrate this week and raise further awareness around health issues facing men, West Leeds charity BARCA is holding a Men’s Health Week celebration event at Broadlea Community Centre on Monday 12 June from 11am to 1pm.
The event is free and includes food, live music, an art exhibition and film showcase.
The event will also include the launch of an EP made by the BARCA men’s music group.
The group, led by Jonathan Parker, have been meeting every Monday at Broadlea Community Centre, writing and playing songs together.
The men have composed and recorded a song called ‘Well Again’, which will be performed at the event and features on the EP.
Jonathan told WLD: “The event is in part to launch Men’s Health Week and to announce our EP.”
The song’s lyrics were written by group member Kim Senior, and are based on the ‘five ways to well-being’ principles.
Jonathan said: “Kim was given the five ways to well-being themes and wrote the words that night. Kim had written poetry but not for 20 years and has been inspired to pick up his pen again due to the group.”
Kim said: “I’ve written songs in the past, and recorded a couple of songs. I used to write poetry, but not since the 90’s. Joining this group on Mondays has lifted my spirits and increased my creativity.”
Watch the video with Kim below:
More information about the Men’s Health Week launch event and the music group from Jonathan on 07927 587088 or e-mail him at: Jonathan.Parker@barca-leeds.org. Further information about the West Leeds Men’s Network groups can be found here.
