Melvyn wonders why more men aren’t involved in supporting dementia.
Hello, it’s Melvyn here. I’m watching on TV – It is now 6.48 in the morning, a normal – I didn’t go to bed ’til gone two and I’ve been up since about five. And not been not so very well. But hey – I’m watching Glorious Gardens from Above and Christine Walkden and they’re in the Lake District. And they’ve gone to this topiary garden which is absolutely fantastic, and it also helps people with mental health problems. And Christine interviewed a teacher – an ex-teacher – and I… he was saying about his mental health condition and erm…. this guy – about his mental health. He was a schoolteacher and I see this sadness on his face when – when he said he’d got depression and he found it difficult to cope at school and … the sadness on his face. But oh, what a fantastic garden it is with all the topiary and all the sereneness and helping people with mental health problems. It was absolutely brilliant. And I just noticed the sadness on that teacher’s face. Was he wishing that he was there, or was he wishing he was back at school. I don’t know. But it was absolutely incredible and – the lady, that Christine Walkden is absolutely brilliant with people, because I’m sure at some time she’s had mental health problems as well. And she just seems a lovely lady. Another lovely lady. I never seem to have many – I never see many lovely men in that respect. I don’t know why. I don’t know why there’s not many people erm… It’s nearly always women in dementia, and – I’m not saying that’s a bad thing – oh no, God – God no, don’t – don’t say that it’s a bad thing; it’s a good thing. But I wish there was more men involved, more… and I’m sure there are. I have met one or two, but not as many as the women. I’m rambling on now, but oh – it’s given me so much pleasure watching these gardening programmes on a Sunday. And erm…oh, it’s fabulous. Just looking and seeing the people with mental health problems, and how serene they look. Well, I’m going to go now. See you a bit later. Bye.
