Outdoor-orientated charity Countrymen UK seeking potential users in Moray
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
AN outdoor-orientated charity helping men with long-term health conditions is appealing for potential users in the Moray area to come forward.
Countrymen UK is a nationwide charity which supports men with a farming or outdoors-based background, especially, but not exclusively, those with a long-term health condition.
The aim is to ensure these men, who are often not suited to 24/7 daycare, do not become isolated and can continue to do the things they love.
The Countrymen Club is housed at Touchdown Memorial Home for Horses in Mulben, but due to lockdown the charity is creating an outreach initiative in an attempt to help people remotely.
Huntly-based Victoria Maclachlan has been brought into the charity as an outreach initiative specialist.
She said: "Men who have a background in farming can often they lose their identity when they are in daycare.
"Daycare is usually focused on indoor activities and that doesn't suit everyone. We organise outdoor activities for the gentlemen.
"Gentleman will be able to come to the farm where there is year-round growing, general farm work, the chance to care for horses and take part in horticultural activities. It's about getting them back into the outdoors."
Countrymen UK is open to men who have any form of health condition, including stroke sufferers and those with Alzheimers or Parkinson's.
The charity was about the get to work in Mulben when lockdown hit. That is why they have created their outreach initiative – to make sure nobody gets left behind.
Mrs Maclachlan added: "With lockdown, everything has changed so much. We want to reach out to gentlemen who are not getting the same interaction as before, who could benefit from our service.
"They don't even have to become a member at the moment.
"I am in the process of sourcing things for our activity packs which we would like to supply to the gentlemen, and we will keep in contact with them via phone calls."
If you or anyone you know may benefit from the service offered by Countrymen UK, get in touch with Victoria on 07734822210 or email info@touchdownmhh.org.
Any companies who are able to help provide help with the activity packs can get in touch the same way.
While local websites are still in the works, you can find further information at https://countrymenuk.org/.
