Community engagement: men's health

Healthwatch Havering carried out a men’s health survey to understand men’s attitudes, behaviours, and experiences relating to their physical and mental health. The work was prompted by the Government’s Men’s Health: A Strategic Vision for England (2025), which aims to increase men’s access to support, improve self‑care, and reduce stigma around help‑seeking. 

To gather meaningful insights, the team conducted face‑to‑face engagement with four established men’s groups in Havering: BHRUT’s Men’s Health Network/Andy’s Man Club, attendees at a Live Well Havering event, the Havering Over Fifties Forum, and the Havering Indoor Bowls Club. This approach was chosen to ensure that participants felt comfortable discussing personal issues in trusted, social settings. A simple, anonymous 14‑question survey was used, and 63 men took part. 

The aim of the survey was to explore how group membership and peer support might influence men’s confidence in sharing concerns, seeking health advice, and acting as role models for younger men. The survey also sought to identify how general practice and public health services could better support men as Havering moves toward a neighbourhood‑based model of primary care.

Overall, the men who responded reported significantly more positive health and wellbeing indicators than national averages. One notable finding was the unexpectedly low number of participants who smoked, which contrasts with Havering’s known high smoking prevalence. The results suggest that men who are socially connected through clubs, interest groups, or peer‑support communities tend to be more engaged with their health than is often assumed. 

The report concludes that these findings may help general practitioners and public health teams focus future research and service development to better meet men’s needs.