EVERY week a group of elderly men meet to chat, play games, take part in new activities, learn new skills and have a laugh.

They turn up at Eccleshill Mechanics’ Institute in Stone Hall Road, to spend time together and enjoy themselves.

Originally called Mr Men, the group now goes by the name of Men @ Eccy Meccy and is dedicated to helping elderly men who have been through difficult events and who would benefit from companionship to cheer them up.

“They may have suffered a heart attack or stroke, or a had a life-changing experience such as the death of a partner,” says Mick Kenefick, centre manager for Eccleshill Community Association based at the Mechanics’ Institute.

“The men come along and all help each other. If a man has recently lost his wife he may find comfort talking to another man who has gone through a similar experience.”

As well as making new friends, the men take part in a range of activities, from visiting community centres to meet people from different areas, listening to guest speakers and taking day trips to places including Cartwright Hall and Bradford Industrial Museum .

They get the chance to learn skills such as photography, cookery, and games such as golf, chess and darts.

“These activities have been a great way for the men to find companionship, talk and support each other,” says Mick. “Some men are quiet, but will open up to our coordinator.”

The group was set up thanks to the former Health On The Streets (HOTS) team. “If it was not for them it would not exist,” says Mick. “They noticed that despite having so many activities - bingo, silver surfers, art clubs and dancing, and hot meals, men didn’t mingle like the women.”

Members of the HOTS team applied for lottery funding and was awarded cash for three years from the Big Lottery’s Silver Dreams Fund, specifically dedicated to older people.

Referrals come from GPs, social care workers and other sources.

Chris Watson is the men’s group coordinator. “I organise activities, guest speakers and trips,” he says. “The men in the group play an active role and will visit other men in the area who are not well enough to attend the group - it is a befriending service.

“They are very warm towards each other and enjoy a laugh and a joke. They come along and have a chin wag. They leave all their stresses behind and enjoy being part of a group.”

He adds: “They are all older men who have had a life-changing experience - bereavement, retirement or having to care for a loved one. “

“They really enjoy going on trips and there are various opportunities in which they can get involved. It is their group and any input they give me I will take forward. It is their group and it is up to them what they want to get out of it.”

Men @ Eccy Meccy attracts men mainly from Bradford East, Eccleshill, Idle, Undercliffe, Thackley and Ravenscliffe, as well as other areas. “We have new people coming every week. We have a pool table, a big screen and table tennis. Earlier this summer we took a narrow boat out on the canal which everyone loved and the week before that we visited the Victorian prison cells in City Hall.”

Since the group was formed more than 70 men have attended, with ages ranging from early fifties to late nineties. The group averages around 20 every week. “A lot of the men have been in the group for a long time,” says Chris, who also works with men on a one-to-one basis.

“The first step is getting here. As you grow older become accustomed to your routine. A life-changing event can knock your confidence and affect your entire outlook on life.”

One Men @ Eccy Meccy regular commented: “Coming here has boosted my confidence. It has changed my life. I was told that I was having a nervous breakdown - coming here has changed my life.”

“Some men stay at home and become isolated,” says Mick. “Some may go to the pub but a lot don’t. We have one man who has been coming since the group started. It has taken him a long time to get out of his depression but now he is coming on in leaps and bounds.

“They have bonded with each other and some are socialising in their own time as well.”

*men@eccymeccy is held on Tuesday from 10am to 12.30pm. W: eccymeccy.org/groups/mens-group; E: men@eccymeccy.org T: 01274 636228