Christopher's Got a Second Family at RammyMen

I can't remember exactly when I started going to RammyMen, but it feels like I've always been a part of the group!

I heard about RammyMen from the mental health team. They referred me and I started going to The Den early in 2024. The first time I went I felt shy, but the group made me feel so welcome I didn’t feel shy for long! Now I feel happy and look forward to going, we have lots of inside jokes and it feels like a big family.

RammyMen have a nice building with a kitchen that has pizza ovens, an office, the main communal area where we do most of our activities and a big garden which I am looking forward to spending some time in when the sun comes out.

It meets Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-9pm, and Fridays 11am-9pm and costs £2, if you are having a meal then it costs £3.

On Wednesday: Its Quiz, lunch, Lego building and then out for tea.

Thursday: Dungeon & Dragons, pizza for lunch and then Poker (no real money, just for fun).

Friday: Karaoke, (I do an amazing Elvis act!), games, pie and peas for lunch.

In between these activities we do other things such as making homemade pizza in the pizza ovens, do blood pressure checks and they are doing some work with me around healthy eating as I am trying to lose weight so they are very supportive, helping me with this.

I am looking forward to trying out the woodwork shop and scale modelling which I haven’t done before. The woodwork shop is a course, and they will be teaching us the basics.

What's the best thing about RammyMen? EVERYTHING!!

It has helped me with my confidence and my mental health. 

If you're thinking of coming, I'd say join us! It is so much fun and if you feel nervous coming, I'll be there to talk to you and help you with that!

Christopher

Christopher has also told us about using Bury Shared Lives:

I live with my Shared Lives carer, Pauline and I call her mum. I have lived with her since I was 10 and I transferred from fostering to Shared Lives when I became an adult. I also have respite with Shaun and some day support sessions too.

What sorts of things do you do together?

With Shaun, we go out for a brew, play snooker, watch football and sometimes have a tidy up around the house. When I'm with Pauline, we go out shopping, to Costa and do family activities together.

I have also got a motorbike which I use to get around to different places - this has given me independence when travelling.

What's the best thing about Shared Lives?

It helps people live their best lives and to become part of family too. The best part is the carers, people like Pauline and Shaun. The staff are also helpful, they are there if I need any advice and check in with me.

Want to know more about Bury Shared Lives? Click here.

Read more case studies from across Persona - just click here.