Table tennis group helps black men tackle mental health
BBCWhat started as a game of table tennis at a local community centre is now helping older black men in Birmingham open up about their health, wellbeing and life experiences.
The weekly sessions are organised by the Over 50s Black Men Forum who said the biggest benefit is often the conversations that happen away from the table.
Karlus Harris, a tailor who works in the city's Jewellery Quarter said playing at Handsworth Wellbeing Centre gives him a sense of community.
He told the BBC: "[Men] don't really share a lot of stuff, we sort of keep it all bottled in, and then somewhere along the line it explodes".
"This is how we see a lot of the time our peers, people that we know, having just crazy mental breakdowns.
"Sessions like this where we're just here, we're just talking, before you know it you're in a conversation that you didn't think you was gonna be having just coming to play a game of table tennis - I'm all for it."
The weekly sessions are designed to address health issues that disproportionately affect older black men, while also helping to combat social isolation.
Chidi Umeano, from the Over 50s Black Men Forum, said: "Older black men have higher chances of getting prostate cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and actually being very lonely.
"One of the key reasons is machoism. We are told we need to be macho, we don't cry, we don't share our emotions.
"So rather than going out to talk to somebody, most of us stay at home."
Former England table tennis champion Desmond Douglas, who grew up in Aston, is backing the project and said he wanted to use his experience to support others.
"You know what I try to do is try to put something back in and if I can help, I will and at the end of it all, I'm trying to just give something back and hopefully something will come of it from these chaps," he said.
The 11-time England champion believes staying active can have significant benefits for both physical and mental health, particularly in later life.
"I think at this sort of age, especially if you're retired, you have bad thoughts and I think just getting out, being active, walking, playing sport, for a while you forget all those thoughts and mentally you're in a happier place, and physically.
"So that's what you should try to do really, just keep active."
Among those taking part is David Francis, who said the sessions offered an opportunity to exercise and socialise.
"I love table tennis and I heard there was a table tennis event happening here. So I just wanted to come and be part of it," he said.
"You come out, have a laugh, keep fit and just enjoy the game and the company."
As well as the weekly table tennis sessions, participants are offered the chance to join regular online meetings where health professionals discuss issues including prostate cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Umeano said bringing together people with shared experiences was at the heart of the initiative.
"You see somebody who has the same issue, we connect them and they go out and start talking," he said.
"That's what we're about. Prevention, but also linking up people with lived experiences."
The scheme is supported by Birmingham City Council and Sport England.
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