Belfast Men's Health Group

Podcast with Thamra Ayton, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for Pelvic Health, Belfast Trust

Thamra is the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for Pelvic Health in Belfast Trust. She works with men and women of all ages, dealing with pelvic health problems. This could involve bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction or problems with pain in the pelvic area. She and colleagues are also involved with men who have received cancer treatment and particularly men who have been treated for prostate cancer. Men sometimes find it difficult to talk about their health and areas such as pelvic issues can be very difficult for them to seek treatment and information. We think this podcast will educate and bring men some very useful information in relation to pelvic health issues and how to get further advice.

Podcast with Billy Dixon

Billy Dixon is an International Speaker, Authour, specialist in personal projection and branding. Billly in the interview will provide some advice on maximising our potential and being the best version our ourselves.

Podcast with Dr Philip McGarry, Consultant Psychiatrist

In this Podcast Philip talks about how he became a Psychiatrist, his interest as an Interpersonal Psychotherapist and also how the current Covid 19 crisis is having an impact in terms of mental health issues. He has worked for the Belfast Trust for many years although now on a sessional basis following partial retirement.

Philip has a long interest in local politics and current affairs.

Podcast with Cahir Murray, Parenting NI, Dad's Project

Cahir Murray talks about the Dads Project which supports dads in Northern Ireland who are separating, separated or currently involved within the courts service.

The Dads Project promotes dads being engaged and involved in their children's lives. This project will help you to develop more confidence in your parenting ability and to build  positive connections with other dads in a similar position in your community. 

Podcast with Joan Davis, Director, Family Mediation, Northern Ireland

Joan Davis is the Director for Family Mediation, Northern Ireland a Registered Charity. In this podcast she describes the work she does with them and how they act as an organisation providing independent and impartial family mediation She outlines that they have been in existence for twenty one years and are celebrating their birthday.

Podcast with Keith Cullen, Surestart

Keith Cullen works with Surestart, Brownlow Lurgan. He describes the work he does with them and also the work that is offered to Dad's in the local area of Lurgan. This involves getting the Dad's out working with their Kids in areas they are interested in. This covers a range areas and would include trips and visits to activity venues in the local area.

Podcast with Stephen Barr, Start360 Lads 2 Dads Programme

Stephen Barr from Start360 manages the Employability, Personal Development and Mental Health services within Start360. A keen sportsman, Stephen enjoys fitness training and is a long-suffering Liverpool fan.

He is also manages the Lads 2 Dads Programme which was developed around the need of young men who sought help from Start360 in relation to parenting.

This provides support for young fathers who are deemed to be either fathers, stepfathers or fathers to be and also 1-1 mentoring/advocacy support for all participants, where appropriate, ensuring their needs are supported.

Stephen explains how it came about and some of the main benefits for young men.

Podcast with Dr Gavin Breslin

Dr. Gavin Breslin is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology in the School of Sport, Ulster University, a member of the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute and a researcher with the Bamford Centre with a research focus on sport, mental health and well-being.

Gavin is a British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist of which he is former Course Director of an accredited MSc programme, a registered practitioner of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Gavin will provide some advice on coping with the Covid pandemic and how exercise is good for our mental health.

Podcast with Frank McNally, Prostate Cancer UK, Northern Ireland.

Frank McNally is the Prostate Cancer UK, Northern Ireland Volunteer and Co-ordinator for them. He also looks after the Volunteer Hub.

Frank will provide information on prostate cancer, the risks and how it effects men. He provides action to take and what we can do to reduce our risk of prostate cancer.

Podcast with Paul O'Kane

Make this March the Month to Stop Smoking. To help us move in that direction we have an interview with one of our own members of Belfast Men's Health Group Paul O'Kane. Paul is actually employed as a Stop Smoking Specialist based in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The Trust provides a service for patients and staff and he explains how this works. There are other areas to stop smoking and these include contacting your GP or local Pharmacy.

He mentions the work he does for the people who want to give up smoking and the services you receive your GP or local Pharmacist.

If you smoke now is the time give up!!