Welcome to the 41 Club "Self Help" Buddies Page
All of us need to talk to someone occasionally…
Most of the time we’re OK and deal with whatever ‘stuff’ life throws at us but sometimes it’s good to talk. Most of the time it will be with our family or close friends but every now and then, the very people who are closest to us aren’t always the ones we can easily open up to – and being men of a certain age and background, we don’t always find it easy to ask for support.
That is where the 41 Club Buddies come in and why the Buddyline number has been set up.
This page provides information about the Buddyline and about other supporting organisations who you might find helpful.
For Each 41 Club
Our 41 Club Association is based upon a strong fellowship with each other – and all 41 Clubs should be asking themselves whether they are engaging with their own Club members as the ‘first line’ of support.
- Has one of your members not attended your Club virtual meeting for a while or may not have been in touch?
- Maybe take some time to contact them - just to chat and ensure they are OK?
- Perhaps your Club could set up an informal ‘rota’ to contact those ‘infrequent’ members.
At the end of the day, we are all buddies to each other and all Clubs should ensure we are all living up to our Association’s Toast – ‘To Continued Friendship”.
If you would like a speaker at your Club meeting to talk about the 41 Club Buddies, please contact your National Councillor or Peter McBride on Region24@41club.org
The 41 Club Buddyline is here between 10am and 10pm seven days a week for any member who would like to chat about anything that is worrying them.
The Buddyline is a service that any 41 Club member can phone for a chat about anything they want to. Members may be feeling fed up, lonely, isolated or just feeling a bit fed up for whatever reason.
Just Call
03301 07 07 40
Hints and Tips to help have supportive conversations with your fellow 41 Club members
Being a member of a 41 Club is all about fellowship with our fellow members. Whether we do it consciously or not, this includes supporting and listening to our fellow members as a friend, mate or buddy.
Most of the time, we do this simply by chatting, sharing a joke, exchanging anecdotes or just having a drink together. When the rare occasions arise however, that need a little more engagement, it can sometimes be difficult to have the conversation.
This document includes some suggested conversations and approaches when deciding to either make that call or if a fellow member calls yourself. They are only suggestions – you will have your own way of talking and can adopt, adapt and improve them.
If they have internet connectivity you can always advise them of the contact details of the various National support organisations displayed on the 41 Club Buddies Page on https://41clubconnects.co.uk/41-club-buddyline/
You could also remind them of the anonymous Buddyline service on 03301 07 07 40 – available 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.
Just Call
03301 07 07 40
Other Available Help
When you can’t speak to a 41 Club Buddy, below are some other organisations that you might find helpful:
The Silver Line is the confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year. Our specially trained helpline staff offer information, friendship and advice, link callers to local groups and services, offer regular befriending calls and protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect.
If callers would like to be put in touch with Silver Line Friends, they can receive a regular weekly friendship call or email. Or they may like to join a Silver Circle and take part in a regular group call on subjects that interest them.
CONTACT
0800 4 70 80 90
www.thesilverline.org.uk
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. When someone calls Samaritans, the caller’s number is not displayed to the volunteer.
They may ask your name, because it’s a natural question to ask in a conversation but callers don’t have to tell us if you prefer not to. “We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. We won't judge you or tell you what to do, we'll listen to you.”
CONTACT
116 123
www.samaritans.org
We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. We'll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner.
CONTACT
0300 123 3393
9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
www.mind.org.uk
We provide support and guidance to individuals and groups across the UK in starting and managing Men’s Sheds. We raise awareness of the social and health benefits of Men’s Sheds in reducing isolation, loneliness and in empowering local communities.
We provide community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun.
CONTACT
0300 772 9626
menssheds.org.uk
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.
CONTACT
0808 808 8000
24 hours a day, every day
www.lifelinehelpline.info
The Cruse National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement support volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by a bereavement. Our volunteers are here to help you talk things through. They can also help you find your local Cruse service, or signpost you to support groups, financial advice, and other useful sources of information.
CONTACT
0808 808 1677
9.30am to 5pm Monday and Friday and 9.30am to 8pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
For people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They offer an accredited confidential, anonymous and free support, information and signposting to people anywhere in the UK through their helpline.
CONTACT
0800 58 58 58
5pm – midnight every day
www.thecalmzone.net
Whether you have anxiety, stress, anxiety-based depression or a phobia that’s affecting your daily life, we’re here to help you. And we’re fully supported by an expert team of medical advisors.
CONTACT
Phone 03444 775 774
Or text: 07537 416 905
Mon-Fri 09:30 - 17:30
www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
We in AA are men and women who have discovered, and admitted, that we cannot control alcohol. We have learned that we must live without it if we are to avoid disaster for ourselves and those close to us. With local groups in thousands of communities, we are part of an informal international fellowship with members in more than 100 countries. We have but one primary purpose: to stay sober ourselves and to help others who may turn to us for help in achieving sobriety.
CONTACT
Call our National Helpline FREE on 0800 9177 650
Or email help@aamail.org <mailto:help@aamail.org>
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Age UK's advice line is a free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. Our team will give you information that is reliable and up to date and help you to access the advice you need. We do get calls from people who are lonely or tearful too. If you’re feeling lonely or you need some practical help and support, we want you to know that you can call us. Although you might feel alone, you’re not alone, and there are people out there who can help.
CONTACT
Advice Line: 0800 678 1602
8am-7pm every day
www.ageuk.org.uk
AbilityNet's amazing network of ITCanHelp volunteers help older people and disabled people to use technology to achieve their goals. They can come to you in the comfort of your own home or assist remotely to help you overcome any challenges you are facing in the digital world.
CONTACT
0800 048 7462
Mon – Fri Office hours
abilitynet.org.uk