Men’s health webinar: Welsh co-lead urging members to register for event

9 November 2023

The Welsh co-lead for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is preparing to host the inaugural men’s health webinar as he urges members across the Welsh Forces to register for the online event.

Zac Mader will be opening the virtual webinar, which is taking place on Thursday 16 November between 10am and 12.30pm.

The theme for this year’s event is addiction and how it can have an impact on both physical and mental health.

“It’s no secret that our members are under an incredible amount of pressure at the moment, making it essential that they - both men and women - take time to prioritise their mental and physical health,” said Zac, who is also a member of the National Men’s Health Forum (NMHF).

“This is the first webinar of its kind and it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to really focus on men’s health and the issues affecting our male members.”

The NHMF was set up earlier this year and includes input from Zac as well as fellow National Board members, Region 7 representative Leigh Godfrey, diversity, equality and inclusion officer Matt Slade, secretary and treasurer of North Wales Police Federation Mark Jones and women in policing co-lead Belinda Goodwin.

The forum was launched to help create a healthy, safe policing workforce in which men feel comfortable expressing themselves and looking after one another.

Zac added: “One of the main aims of the webinar is to change attitudes - and everyone has a part to play in that. There will be plenty of discussions about how we can all support one another, as well as ourselves - both of which are vital in the world of policing today.

“I would urge all members from across our Welsh and English branches to join us if they can.”

The webinar, which is sponsored by Health Cash Plans - HSF UK, will also include the police service’s chief medical officer John Harrison, who will be talking about how he can influence attitudes towards men’s health.

Chief Inspector Stewart Codling, of Thames Valley Police, will focus on mental health and promoting a safe space where men can open up.

Nick Conn, chief executive of Help4Addiction, will talk about his experience of being a serving police officer with an addiction and his journey.

PFEW national board member Belinda Goodwin will talk about changing attitudes and how it’s important to understand that language and behaviour have a massive part to play in that - and also the important role our female colleagues have in men feeling empowered to open up.

Click here to register