Male carers learned valuable survival skills and enjoyed meeting other male carers when they took part in a ‘bushcraft day’ recently, organised by local charity Carers’ Resource.
The charity invited male carers from the Bradford, Craven and Harrogate areas to come along to the free event, which provided a fun day of bushcraft activities and a chance for male carers to get together and have a chat in a beautiful woodland and camping area on Baildon Moor.
Led by bushcraft instructors and survival safety trainers from GoWild Outdoors, the bushcraft event saw 19 male carers working together in groups on activities such as shelter building, purifying water, fire making, wilderness cooking and woodland sports, which included archery and axe throwing.
Goran Selby, Men Care Too Project Officer at Carers’ Resource, said: “The bushcraft day was a fantastic event and was thoroughly enjoyed by the male carers who attended. The sun was shining and it was great to see the carers chatting and creating bonds with each other whilst taking a break from their caring responsibilities.”
The ages of male carers who attended ranged from 18 to 91-years-old.
Carers’ Resource has received positive feedback about the event, with carers saying they really enjoyed it and that it was great to speak to other carers.
A memorable comment came from an older carer who said: “It was the best day of my life.”
Another male carer said: “I thought I was alone until I met these other carers.”
The ‘bushcraft day’ was held as part of our ‘Men Care Too’ project.
‘Men Care Too’ is run by Carers’ Resource, as part of Carers Trust’s #MakingCarersCount programme, to provide specialist group support to male carers in the Bradford, Craven and Harrogate areas.
Carers’ Resource launched the project to improve the wellbeing of male carers, giving them the chance to take part in fun activities, meet other male carers, chat, relax and support each other.
To join ‘Men Care Too’, and get involved in groups and activities being run as part of the project, or for more information, contact Goran Selby by emailing mencare2@carersresource.org, or calling 07874 867136.
