Social group started in Jersey to help men connect

Gary Power said he started the Menship group so he could connect with more people and allow other men to do so

A Jersey man who was looking to make more friends has started a new social group for men.

Gary Power said he started Menship after the lack of attendees at a friends funeral which made him realise he wanted to connect with more people.

The group has been running in St. Aubins throughout November and sessions are expected to continue after the New Year.

One of the new friends of Menship, Dave, said he joined because he was looking for ‘something to do’ with his winters.

“I thought I’ve got nothing to lose and have enjoyed it,” he said.

“It’s somewhere you feel like you are going to fit in and not be totally out of your comfort zone.”

The group was set up to get men to try new activities, talk together and "connect".

Trying new activities, talking together and connecting are the main themes of Menship, said Gary Power

Mr Power said inspiration for the group came from men not going out as much as they did before lock down.

“I thought the guys need to maybe connect again.”

He mentioned one of the “chaps” had been out of the office for nearly two years, “so how's he meant to connect with people and make men friends, as it were, when he doesn't go into the office?”.

Mr Power's future aims for the group include teaching the men survival techniques and painting.

“We'd like to bring in people who can teach guys how to do stuff that they maybe haven't learnt before," he said.

“We’re going to try and do it once a month and see how it goes, it’s been small groups and small seeds become, hopefully, a bigger plant, as it were.”