New initiative helps senior men across Australia make friends and connect with one another
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As we all reflect on the ups and downs of our lives — some recent, some distant — we often wonder, ‘Who will I share these stories with?’
For many of us who have retired, struggled to make new friends, or desire meaningful connections, having someone with whom we can reminisce and make plans for the future is essential.
Fortunately, some senior citizens are taking matters into their own hands by organising initiatives specifically designed to bring people together. And one of them is The Men's Table Australia.
The initiative, which is supported by a number of postal facilities across the country, is designed for senior men of all ages to get together and discuss the latest news, activities, the economy, and more — just like old times.
'I'm part of The Men’s Table which is made up of groups of 8-12 men who have dinner together, in the same place, same time of the month, and the same set of men to share what's going on in their lives, both highs and lows,' Eric Balingasay, one of the organisers and participants, said in a statement.
'There are now close to 80 Tables in Australia with men who are enjoying this unique experience and making new friends potentially for life.'
The Men's Table has so far been established in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, but there are also online options that encourage others to start their own meetups if there isn't one event nearby.
The group's website also states that its goal is to promote the formation of new groups to people who are interested in breaking ground in their own localities.
These days, people are more connected than ever and barely a minute goes by without us receiving an email, text message, or notification on our mobile. However, ironically the internet has actually made it easier for us to be more alienated from the people around us. As a result, we've lost the ability to connect naturally to people and need to re-learn how to interact with one another.
Sure, we’ve all felt a little lonely or isolated at some point in our lives. But did you know that feeling isolated on a regular basis can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health?
In fact, according to the National Institute on Ageing, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years.
This is why initiatives such as The Men's Table are so important — they encourage face-to-face communication and interaction, helping participants forge relationships and make new friends. This will be beneficial at a time when they need it most.
We're also pleased to see initiatives like the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) popping up all over the country! AMSA is a national service provider to more than 1,200 sheds in Australia, with the mission of promoting men's health and well-being by bringing them together and enabling them to lead positive lifestyles within their communities. They provide practical support, specialised services and resources, and men’s health programs and initiatives to support men’s sheds as vibrant community hubs.
Another platform for meeting people in real life is meetup.com. You might want to try this out and see if you can find a new friend!
Also, you may also want to try meeting other members of the SDC! After all, we're a community here!
Of course, while we encourage you to make new friends, we also advise being extra careful with meeting people you meet online and as much as possible try to have another companion whom you trust when meeting someone new for the first time. You should also be sure to meet in a public place and never give out important personal information.
There you have it, folks! Have you ever heard of The Men's Table before? Does this initiative seem like a good idea to you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
For many of us who have retired, struggled to make new friends, or desire meaningful connections, having someone with whom we can reminisce and make plans for the future is essential.
Fortunately, some senior citizens are taking matters into their own hands by organising initiatives specifically designed to bring people together. And one of them is The Men's Table Australia.
The initiative, which is supported by a number of postal facilities across the country, is designed for senior men of all ages to get together and discuss the latest news, activities, the economy, and more — just like old times.
One of the members of The Men's Table in Sydney shared some photos of their get-together on social media to encourage more people to come to join them. Credit: Facebook.
'I'm part of The Men’s Table which is made up of groups of 8-12 men who have dinner together, in the same place, same time of the month, and the same set of men to share what's going on in their lives, both highs and lows,' Eric Balingasay, one of the organisers and participants, said in a statement.
'There are now close to 80 Tables in Australia with men who are enjoying this unique experience and making new friends potentially for life.'
The Men's Table has so far been established in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, but there are also online options that encourage others to start their own meetups if there isn't one event nearby.
The group's website also states that its goal is to promote the formation of new groups to people who are interested in breaking ground in their own localities.
These days, people are more connected than ever and barely a minute goes by without us receiving an email, text message, or notification on our mobile. However, ironically the internet has actually made it easier for us to be more alienated from the people around us. As a result, we've lost the ability to connect naturally to people and need to re-learn how to interact with one another.
Sure, we’ve all felt a little lonely or isolated at some point in our lives. But did you know that feeling isolated on a regular basis can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health?
In fact, according to the National Institute on Ageing, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years.
This is why initiatives such as The Men's Table are so important — they encourage face-to-face communication and interaction, helping participants forge relationships and make new friends. This will be beneficial at a time when they need it most.
We're also pleased to see initiatives like the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) popping up all over the country! AMSA is a national service provider to more than 1,200 sheds in Australia, with the mission of promoting men's health and well-being by bringing them together and enabling them to lead positive lifestyles within their communities. They provide practical support, specialised services and resources, and men’s health programs and initiatives to support men’s sheds as vibrant community hubs.
Another platform for meeting people in real life is meetup.com. You might want to try this out and see if you can find a new friend!
Also, you may also want to try meeting other members of the SDC! After all, we're a community here!
Of course, while we encourage you to make new friends, we also advise being extra careful with meeting people you meet online and as much as possible try to have another companion whom you trust when meeting someone new for the first time. You should also be sure to meet in a public place and never give out important personal information.
There you have it, folks! Have you ever heard of The Men's Table before? Does this initiative seem like a good idea to you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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