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Men's group hopes to eases strain on NHS services

John Fairhall/ BBC Adam Townsend is striking a yoga pose, where his arms are outstretched. He is heavily tattooed, with a brown beard. He is wearing a black vest. Other members are doing the same pose in the background.

A men's mental health group that runs sport sessions such as yoga, football and darts, has been used as an informal referral service by the NHS.

Moreton Men Sports Group, based in Bury St Edmund's, Suffolk, was initially formed in 2024 with 15 members as a six-a-side football team, but has grown to include more than 200 people.

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) said it informally refers men to the group, which includes members aged from 17-52, who do not need clinical intervention but "would benefit from support within their community".

Adam Townsend, 39, from Suffolk, who started the group to combat his own loneliness, believed it could "take some of the strain off the NHS".

Townsend said: "Through my own mental health journey, I went to the doctors and noticed that there was a gap for support groups for men in the area, particularly men my age.

"I wanted to tackle loneliness, and we feel like this group can do that. It embraces all people in the community. Whether you are new to the area [or] to the country, don't have many friends or have loads of friends."

John Fairhall/BBC Adam Townsend is striking a yoga pose, with his arms outstretched and he is reaching down on one side. He is heavily tattooed, with a brown beard. He is wearing a black vest. Other members are doing the same pose in the background.

Through its activities and sports, the group encouraged men to talk and open up, Townsend said.

"There is a taboo about men talking. I struggled to talk to other men. This has transformed it for me, and for our members.

"When men are together, there is something magical about it.

"We are big idiots really, but there isn't enough opportunity for us to be around each other and show that in a safe space where we can really let our hair down," he added.

John Fairhall/ BBC Three members of the group performing the "warrior" pose. Their arms are outstretched as they lunge outwards.

The group has grown and has two darts teams, multiple football squads, including an 11-a-side Sunday league team.

Townsend said a running club and netball club were in the pipeline, but to extend their reach and ensure accessibility for all ages the group has now introduced yoga.

John Fairhall/ BBC Jack Plumb is sat crossed leg on a yoga mat. He has long hair, and a greying beard. he is wearing shorts and a blue sweater. He is clapping as the session draws to a close. Will Tovey is tot he right, also sat on a blue yoga mat, and clapping. He is wearing a white T-shirt, has brown hair and moustache. There is also a man between them wearing an Ipswich Town jersey, also applauding.

Will Tovey, 28, from Suffolk, said he joined the group to meet people his age and improve his mental health.

"The yoga takes your mind off everything, because you are so focused on the stretches. You can relax," he said.

"I moved here five years ago, so it has been really helpful to meet other young men my age. It's so good for mental health. We do go to the pub after and just chat, which is important," he added.

Meanwhile, Jack Plumb, 38, also from Suffolk, said the group and the yoga has helped battle his loneliness.

"It really does make me feel better every week," he said.

"You lose friends as you get older, and it becomes harder to meet people.

"The group is an easy way to do that and it's so important for men to talk," he added.

John Fairhall/BBC Lewis has dark, sweat-soaked hair and a ginger beard. He is wearing a red football shirt and standing on a green football pitch.

Lewis Shepherd, 26, the captain of the Sunday football team, has a speech impediment and was recommended the group by a friend and said it has given him confidence.

"The mental health side of things is why I joined," he said.

"I was going through a tough time. We have a good group of people that pick you up when you are down.

"I find it difficult to fit into new groups, interact with new people. I get a little bit shy as you can imagine. But we look beyond that, and what you may have come through in your life," he added.

John Fairhall/ BBC Alex is wearing glasses and the blue Moreton Men football shirt. He has black hair. His dad Damian has his arm round his shoulder. He is wearing a black coat, has greying hair and glasses.

Alex, 17, is the group's youngest member. He has a rare genetic disorder called Townes-Brocks syndrome, which caused him to be born with severe hearing loss.

He is the star striker for the six-a-side team and said the group have made him feel welcome.

"I love it," he said, "it's been really enjoyable, and the lads have been supportive. It's fun first, and everyone is so friendly. We really feel like a family."

His dad, Damian, said: "His deafness makes it harder for him to communicate and socialise, but Moreton Men has been an excellent way for him to make new friends and enjoy his favourite sports - footy and darts.

"Everyone in the group has made him feel welcome and helped him to improve his confidence and feel part of a team, so it's been great to see him develop his social skills," he added.

John Fairhall/ BBC Multiple men are sat on yoga mats, the majority have their eyes closed and their hands together in a praying motion.

Townsend said: "We are trying to enforce ourself into the system, because we really feel like we can take some of the strain away."

Cath Byford, the NSFT's chief patient experience officer and deputy chief executive, said: "Where a person does not require clinical intervention but would benefit from support within their community, NSFT will make an informal referral to the Moreton Men Sports Group.

"These community‑based connections are a vital part of delivering safer, kinder and better care, helping individuals feel supported closer to home while strengthening the overall network of mental health and wellbeing services."

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