SAVING LIVES WITH A BREW AND A BISCUIT

The 58-year-old is part of Broken Biscuits, a weekly group which evolved from regular drop-in sessions at Church Lane Community Centre, Prestwich, organised the social prescribing team working across Bury’s GP practices. Paul says: “Quite simply, we have a brew, a biscuit, a laugh, and just talk rubbish for a few hours!”

Multiple hospital visits, severe kidney issues, combinations of medicines and treatments, different diagnoses, plus a near-death experience, led Paul to “a very, very dark place.” He explains: “I lost everything: my marriage, my career in landscape gardening, and my mental and physical health. On long-term sick and struggling with finances, benefits and housing, I just didn’t want to be here.”

Being introduced to Julie Marshall, part of the social prescribing team working across GP practices, was a “game changer,” said Paul. Bury GP Federation’s social prescribing team works with GP practices to support those feeling lonely, anxious, isolated, struggling with mental health, bereavement, housing or debt challenges.

And according to Bury GP Federation figures, more than 5,850 patients have benefitted from social prescribing from 1 April 2024 – 30 March 2025. Julie added: “Paul admitted he was totally overwhelmed with life. I supported him with housing queries, benefits, financial commitments, plus health and social service appointments. Introducing him to the community sessions which then Church Lane led to his happy involvement with Broken Biscuits has been a joy to witness .”

Paul added: “I feel as though I’ve found a very special place with a great group of people. Everyone has their issues – whether they’re bereaved, lonely, anxious, have health issues – and we’re all a bit broken. Despite this, we all laugh a lot and leave feeling lighter and brighter. It’s the perfect medicine to boost your mental health.”

Ken Wilde is in his 70s and one of the founding members of Broken Biscuits. He said: “Talking helps. We’re not mental health gurus, or a group created to support a particular health need. We just offer people somewhere to go and a safe space to say as little, or as much, as they want.”

Having lost his wife, Kath, in 2024, Ken described the group as a “lifeline.” He added: “We all check in on each other. It’s a real support network.”

Mick Stone, aged 58, agrees. The former veteran is more than 80 months sober and struggles with PTSD, epilepsy and anaemia. He said: “We’re all a little bit broken, but the benefit of having a welcoming group – whether we want to talk or not – cannot be underestimated.”

New member, Steve Howard, is 66-years-old and was widowed after more than three decades of marriage to Renée. He says: “I was lost when my wife died. I still am really. The loneliness is brutal and everything seems a bit pointless. This group is great. It’s a chat – whether it’s about what’s on, football, life, or our struggles – and it’s a relief because so often men bottle everything up.”

Ahead of November – traditionally men’s health awareness month – the group is keen to extend a welcome to those who may be currently struggling in silence especially after Age UK research* revealed that almost half all adults aged 55+ reported having experienced depression and/or anxiety at some point in their lives, with further statistics* showing 25% would rather deal with their issues alone.

Added Ken from Prestwich: “We might all be a bit broken, but we’re not out of the game just yet. Talking helps. Come and see.”