Charlton Athletic’s match against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 24 March was a dedicated men’s health game with the aim to encourage fans to be more mindful of their health.
Prior to kick-off, volunteers from Prostate Cancer UK held a bucket collection to raise money for research purposes, whilst the club became the first to offer PSA testing before a match for hundreds of home and away fans.
PSA testing is a blood test that can help to diagnose a variety of prostate problems, including prostate cancer.
The game was also a good opportunity to promote the variety of men’s health programmes that CACT offers, which support men all year round as part of the health improvement work commissioned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Starting as school-based health sessions in 2006, CACT’s health improvement programme is now one of the most comprehensive of any football community trust and men’s health is an important part of that.
From a weekly social evening for men to a 13-week lifestyle programme, the men’s health programmes are an opportunity to reduce social isolation whilst also providing the opportunity for men to come together to build new relationships and support each other.
Regular service user Martin Elliot said:
“It’s the holistic approach Charlton takes that is a real asset to the community. It’s not just the smoking, it’s not talking about losing weight, it’s some of the practical ways of actually doing it. For example, we did the fitness club, we’ve done the teaching people how to cook; it was all fun!”
If you’re interested in finding out more about the range of men’s health programmes CACT run, please call the Live Well Greenwich Line on 0800 470 4831 or email matt.phillips@cact.org.uk for more information.