Skaith recently visited York Men’s Shed, a project in the city set up to offer men somewhere to get together, learn new skills and open up.
Peter Doherty said he was encouraged to join the project by his wife after he retired and the couple moved to York.
“It’s rewarding – if you can help somebody it gives you both a boost,” Mr Doherty said.
Stuart Crossland said he joined the project because he needed “something to do”.
“You can’t stay in the house staring at four walls,” he said.
“Mental health didn’t exist when I was young, you just had to get on with it. Now you can speak to anyone – it’s important.”
Speaking in July, Lynne James, manager of York-based mental health charity Mainstay, said she supported the allocation of funding but had “reservations” about how it would be distributed.
“Within rural communities, I think it’s going to be more difficult,” she said.