Wigan care home's new campaign will address isolation among male residents

Research shows men are less likely to be included socially in care home activities, which are often aimed at women due to the number of female residents and carers.

So Worthington Lake care home in Standish has created its Male Isolation in Care Homes (MIICH) initiative to address this.

Staff want to create a place where men feel they have an input and can spend their days doing what they love.

Manager Kim Jones said: “Over the years, in my 20 years in care, I haven’t seen much change around the way men are promoted to continue to live their lives and their hobbies. It’s something that’s been close to my heart for many, many years.

“To draw that out and change the way that men are perceived in care homes as probably not wanting to join in, when in actual fact they probably do but the resources aren’t there for them.”

While all elderly residents in care homes can benefit from an active mind and body, Worthington Lake will be doing more to specifically help men.

Staff hope to combat male isolation and loneliness in the care home by helping men feel valued, included, a part of the community and with a purpose to get up in the morning.

One of the first things they would like to do is build a saloon bar in the home, complete with darts, a television for sports and a snooker table, which will be ready to open in late March.

They are also looking into getting a workshop for woodwork and other practical activities, a vintage car for men to work on or even just a space where they can gather.

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