1 in 3 older men without a partner consider themselves socially isolated. Hackney Brocals pairs buddies with over-50s to combat rising loneliness rates.
Organised by City & Hackney Carers Centre, Brocals is a multigenerational befriending project.
Brocals are local men, true East Londoner bros, who provide peer support for older ‘bros’ who may not be able to get out of the house as much as they would like. With a series of coach and minibus trips, those involved always have something to look forward to.
“The state of being somewhat isolated, and somewhat bothered by it, but definitely also being too much of a bro to want to talk about it, like, ever.”
The definition of ‘Bronliness’
This initiative comes as greater awareness surrounds male mental health and the stigma often associated with speaking out.
East Side Story spoke to Brocals project manager, Anne-Marie Payne, who told us that “a growing number of older men are facing a future of increased isolation.”
That’s why Brocals was set up last year, and it has been gaining momentum since.
“The number of older men living alone is expected to rise from 911,000 to 1.5 million by 2030, and older men have significantly less contact with their children, family and friends than older women,” Anne-Marie told us.
“However, research found that older men weren’t engaging with third sector projects aimed at decreasing isolation and were slipping through the net, so we decided to come up with a project we hoped they might engage with.
“Brocals uses a combination of minibus driver training, trips and buddying to beat isolation and get guys out and about, and it seems to be working!”
68-year-old John joined the Bros after an accident which led to memory loss. Having Bulend as his ‘Befriending Bro’ makes a huge difference to his life.
“It gives me hope, and it gives me happiness,” said John.
“It gets me out and about. It gives me experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and it’s uplifting in every sense.”
The Brocals Buddying System
Befriending or Buddy Bros can be any men in the local community who wish to volunteer and together tackle ‘bronliness’.
These buddies receive training to provide support and companionship, and they are paired with older bros based on their interests and personalities.
Buddy Bros meet older bros once a week, helping them engage in hobbies and get out and about.
Hackney Brocals is funded by Connect Hackney and managed by City and Hackney Carers Centre.
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