About | Bearly Healthy

About me

I've been involved in promoting health issues in the gay community for many years. In the late 80's I helped establish an AIDS helpline in Lancaster.

As a social worker working with people with HIV/AIDS I went on to become the founding chair of Healthy Gay Manchester in the early 90's.

I'm very proud of the work we did there in finding new and innovative health promotion initiatives. Not least helping to establish the free safe sex pack scheme across the village.

Some of you will know that I used to be heavily involved in the bear scene, helping to establish a bear bar at the Outpost and re-establish the Great British Bear Bash.

Since retiring from work I've been sorting out some health issues I've had resulting from my poor metabolic health. The most significant being a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, for which I needed medication.

I was lucky enough to be referred to a pilot online course developed by the Public Health Collaboration. The course helped me to effectively reverse my diabetes. I no longer need medication.

I am now a PHC Ambassador engaged in promoting their approach with GPs

I am also part of a Community Interest Company called Eat Well Get Well. We deliver NHS-approved programmes to people with metabolic syndrome issues, principally Pre and Type 2 Diabetes. The metabolic health information and resources are based on that approved programme.

I've recently trained as a men's health champion with the Men's Health Forum.

I'll be using this to inform broader men's health issues on the site