“We are good at looking after other people, but don’t always pay the same attention to ourselves” – Ashley’s Men’s Health Week blog
HR team member Ashley Hambling shared his thoughts for Men’s Health Week, which runs from 12 – 18 June.
Hello, my name is Ashley and I work as a senior organisation development practitioner.
I’ve worked for the Trust since it started in 2002.
I love working within the NHS. It’s fantastic to work collaboratively with other people who are doing such important work in the field of health and social care. My role is a small part of a much bigger enterprise to deliver good care and to look after colleagues too. I consider it a privilege to work for the Trust. I love helping to make working lives better and in doing so, helping colleagues to deliver great care.
I think Men’s Health Week is a really important awareness week; we know men struggle to access health support due to society expectations. Men are told to man up, be strong and don’t show weakness. I think it is so important to recognise that men have got their own particular challenges and it’s important we normalise conversation about it. We all need support at times and men across the Trust should feel able to access support. I don’t like the narrative of weak or strong people. It’s great to hear rugby and sport acknowledging the need to support men’s health and allowing people to show their vulnerability.
Growing up, I felt pressure to grow up a certain way: not to talk about feelings or emotions. It just wasn’t helpful. In society in general, there are expectations and norms about how we behave. As I’ve got older, I’m more able to distance myself from societal expectations. I’ve worked in the NHS since 1993 and my exposure to health and social care has helped change my perspective and develop my appreciation that wellbeing does matter. If you don’t pay attention to it, you will develop more serious problems in the future.
If I was going to give advice to a man who is struggling, I would encourage him to get active. Physical activity really supports my health. I enjoy running. I’m no Mo Farah but I love a decent jog!
A lot of our colleagues have been working for the NHS for a long time and I think it is really important we all check in on ourselves and reflect on how we are doing. In the health service, we are good at looking after other people, but don’t always pay the same attention to ourselves.
This Men’s Health Week, my hope for men in the Trust is that they will be able to give their health and wellbeing the priority that it deserves. Regard it as one of the most important actions you can take. Make sure you invest it your own health and wellbeing now and in the future.
