Lanarkshire Active Dads group aims to improve mental and physical health

A Lanarkshire father hopes to replicate the success of a peer group he was involved with before moving to East of Kilbride.

Garry Adams has created a Lanarkshire Active Dads (LADS) Facebook group and wants to encourage men from all over the area to get involved to help improve their health and well-being, both physically and mentally.

The 40-year-old father of two moved to East of Kilbride last year after living in Ayrshire.

It was here that he became a member of an active parent group that proved to be a huge success.

And not being able to find anything similar in the EK area, Garry decided to form his own group.

The emergency services worker said lanarkshire live : “The whole concept is to improve physical and mental health by encouraging like-minded guys to come together for walks, runs, bike rides, hill walks, whatever.

“It’s all free and I arranged it initially but hoping guys start creating their own events to get more and more guys out there and talking.

“I joined a similar group when I lived in Ayrshire and moved to East Kilbride with my partner and two children last August.

“The Ayrshire group have just shown such fantastic success that I thought, why not try to do the same here?

“Men are notorious for not wanting to speak up, they can feel embarrassed, and in Ayrshire there were boys who attended events who at first glance seemed to have no problems: a good job, a great family life.

“But as the weeks went by they opened up about all sorts of issues, from gambling and other addictions to suicide, that they maybe felt like they couldn’t talk to anyone else about. I don’t think he ever got over it. Saying that the group literally saved lives.

“And becoming more active is also great for physical health and I’m sure there are a lot of guys out there who want to get a little bit fitter. I think we can all be a little bit guilty of not wanting to go out.”

The active parent group is also a great way to meet new people, especially if, like Garry, from the Westwood area of ​​EK, you’re new to the area.

“I really got the ball rolling in the New Year and now I have 41 members on the page,” he said. told us.

“The first three members were all guys who had moved to the East Kilbride and Lanarkshire area from somewhere else and didn’t really know anyone or what there was to do in the area.

“People can be scared of meeting strangers, but I want this to be a safe, friendly and relaxed environment to meet new people.”

Garry expects the LADS group to cover a wide range of activities, from hikes and leisurely rides to 5K events and Tough Mudder.

You also want to join the Park Runs – free weekly community events that take place across the UK.

Everyone is welcome, whether they are walking, jogging, running, volunteering, or spectators.

And local charities and good causes could also benefit from the pool.

Garry added: “Through Ayrshire we also did a lot for charity, whether it be food bank drives or doing things like Tough Mudder for local charities.

“We even managed to raise thousands of pounds to buy a specialist bike for a disabled child who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get one. The family was able to buy the bike outright which was a big help.”

“And any money we raise stays within the local community, so if we can do something this good with the Lanarkshire group, I’ll be delighted.”

To join, go to BOYS Facebook page.

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