This Men's Health Week, Millbrook Village in Exeter is seeking to change that. Operated by Inspired Villages, the retirement community has launched a programme designed to bring male residents together through shared activities and social opportunities.
Retirement is often portrayed as a well-earned reward after decades of work. But for many men, it can also mark the loss of something less obvious: routine, purpose and the daily social connections that come with working life.
Research shows that 40 per cent of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health, with the problem becoming more pronounced as they get older. More than 700,000 older men in the UK report experiencing a high degree of loneliness, and older men are more likely to be socially isolated than older women.
Yet despite the scale of the issue, retired men are often overlooked in conversations around mental health.
This Men's Health Week, Millbrook Village in Exeter is seeking to change that. Operated by Inspired Villages, the retirement community has launched a programme designed to bring male residents together through shared activities and social opportunities.
Rather than creating a traditional mental health campaign, the village is focusing on practical ways to encourage connection and conversation. The aim is to create an environment where friendships can develop naturally and residents feel comfortable discussing the realities of later life.
For many men, retirement can be a difficult adjustment. Leaving behind a career often means losing the structure and social interaction that have shaped daily life for decades. While retirement can offer greater freedom, it can also bring unexpected feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Millbrook Village's approach recognises that meaningful conversations do not always happen in formal settings. By encouraging residents to spend time together, work on shared projects and take part in community activities, the village hopes to foster a stronger sense of belonging and support.
Residents say community life can make a significant difference, helping them build new friendships, establish fresh routines and rediscover a sense of purpose after retirement.
As Men's Health Week shines a spotlight on wellbeing, initiatives such as those at Millbrook Village are drawing attention to a group that can often be forgotten — older men who may be quietly struggling with loneliness, long after they have left the workplace behind.
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