Whiddon Calls on Men to ‘Age Well, Together’ this International Men's Health Week

Award-winning innovative care provider, Whiddon has proudly launched their newest social campaign in time for International Men's Health Week (12^th – 18^th June). The ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign seeks to raise awareness around healthy ageing for men and the importance of engaging in meaningful activities and staying socially connected. ​ 

This International Men’s Health Week also coincides with Loneliness Awareness Week making the timing of the ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign even more impactful. With the social media-led campaign calling on older men both inside and outside of the Whiddon community to discover new ways to stay connected, try new hobbies or rediscover old ones to help improve their physical and mental health. ​ 

“At Whiddon, we are proud to launch the ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign and be a part of the movement to reduce the stigma around ​ loneliness by encouraging men to talk more openly about their feelings and find ways to become more involved in their communities,” said Karn Nelson, Whiddon Executive General Manager of Research & Positive Ageing and Board Member of Ending Loneliness Together. ​ 

She continues, “Loneliness has a negative impact on everyone's health, both physical and mental. Men in particular acknowledge that they are more socially isolated as they get older, and this can have a significant impact on their quality of life. There are ways to combat this by staying interested and engaged in interests and hobbies as you age, such as joining a men’s sheds, which can be a great way of finding meaningful connection with others.” 

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data highlights Australian men are statistically more likely to have a lower life expectancy, be overweight and experience higher rates of a range of chronic diseases in comparison to women. According to Mental Health First Aid Australia as many as one in four men will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. ​ 

Whiddon is a founding member of Ending Loneliness Together, a national coalition of organisations who have come together to raise awareness and address loneliness as one of the biggest social and health issues in Australia. As a regional and rural care provider, Whiddon understands how these issues are exacerbated for those living in rural and remote areas and work passionately to connect, inspire, and enrich the lives of those in their care. ​ 

The ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign highlights the influence of Whiddon’s 11 Men’s sheds and groups across metro, regional and rural areas of New South Wales and Southeast Queensland in supporting improved health and wellbeing for men. The Men’s Shed movement has garnered recognition as one of the most powerful initiatives addressing men’s health and wellbeing, empowering men to stay connected as valued and productive members of their local communities. 

In uniting volunteers and members of the Whiddon community, the Men’s Shed program provides meaningful activity through hands-on projects to support connection and social networks. ​ 

“The old adage that men don't bond face to face, they bond shoulder to shoulder is true. Our male residents and clients tell us that they find it harder to make new, meaningful social connections with other men as they age. Working together on a project, such as those in our Men’s Sheds gives them a sense of purpose and belonging," said Karn. ​ 

Volunteers from Whiddon’s Men’s Sheds, Stan Foster from Whiddon Casino and William ‘Bill’ Dickinson from Whiddon Easton Park share their own personal stories that highlight the importance of camaraderie, community, and volunteering in promoting men's health and tackling loneliness as we grow older. 

Standing in solidarity with the ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign is Sydney building supply marketplace, Agora Marketplace. Agora’s Business Development Manager, Jordan Papadopoulos will kindly donate building supplies from their trusted retailers to support the ongoing Whiddon Men’s Shed initiatives. The much-needed materials will be delivered and received by Whiddon CEO, Chris Mamarelis and members of the Whiddon Easton Park Men’s Shed on Wednesday the 14^th of June at their annual Men’s Health Week BBQ. The event will see members of the entire Whiddon Easton Park community unite together in celebration of the ‘Age Well, Together’ campaign.

For more information on ‘Age Well, Together’ and Whiddon’s commitment to healthy ageing please visit https://www.whiddon.com.au/ 

About Whiddon  

Whiddon is an award-winning care provider with residential care, community care and retirement villages across metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote New South Wales and Southeast Queensland. 

Whiddon has been providing exceptional care to older Australians and people with disabilities for more than 75 years, and has grown to be an industry-leading, not-for-profit aged care organisation caring for close to 3,000 customers with over 2,500 employees. ​ 

Whiddon is passionate about enriching lives and keeping older people connected to what matters most to them in life. The organisation aims to really understand each person through building deep relationships with them, their family, and their community. 

Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities that are developing the latest thinking, innovation, programs, and training around quality of life and ageing. ​ 

About International Men’s Health Week  

International Men's Health Week is celebrated every year around the world in the middle of June. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of men's health, and to promote and support the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our communities. 

Men's Health Week focuses on not just physical health, but also men's mental health and emotional wellbeing. During the week, we highlight the health challenges faced by men in Australia and worldwide and run events that can be replicated year-round to improve the physical, emotional and mental health of men and boys. 

Through a series of promotions, events and publicity around the country, Men's Health Week is designed to provoke thought and discussion about what needs to be done to improve male health. 

In Australia, Men’s health Week is coordinated by the Centre for Male Health at Western Sydney University.