{jcomments off}Did you know that it will be International Men’s Day on Monday 19th November 2012?  The theme for this year is ‘Helping Men and Boys Live Longer, Happier, Healthier Lives’, and supporters of the Day are asked to focus on five key challenges: improving men’s life expectancy; supporting men to seek help when they need it; improving boys’ educational achievement; tackling tolerance of violence against men and boys; promoting fathers and male role models.  To find out more, visit the International Men’s Day website at: www.international-mens-day.com

{jcomments off}You are invited to the launch of ‘Understanding Fatherhood in the 21st Century’ - a Policy Briefing Paper which draws together local and international research on fatherhood.  This will take place on Monday 19th November 2012, in Farset International, 466 Springfield Road, Belfast, from 11.30am - 12.30pm.  The report was commissioned by the Man Matters project, and was written by Dr Maria Lohan and Colin Shaw from Queen's University Belfast.  This paper presents the challenges facing fathers, and highlights the obstacles to their full involvement in children's lives.  It makes a series of recommendations for public policy and practice - which are needed to support the changing role of fathers in the 21st Century.  The report will be introduced by Dr Lohan, and there will be feedback from Liam Hannaway (Vice Chairperson of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership).  There will also be a question-and-answer session.  Each attendee will be given a copy of the report - which will be made available on the Man Matter's website shortly after the event.  To attend the launch, book online at: www.wea-ni.com/seminar  or contact Michael Glover at Tel: 02890 329718 / Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}You are invited to a conference for businesses and non-profit organisations who wish to help to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in Irish communities.  At this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, view videos, take part in interactive breakout sessions, and gain useful tools to play your part in reducing stigma in your organisation and community.  The ‘Be the Change’ event will take place on Monday 26th November 2012, from 9.00am to 3.45pm, in the Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.  It is free to attend, but you must register for a place.  To register or find out more, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Contact has confirmed that their second ‘Suicide Prevention - What Works?’ one day conference will be held on Thursday 22nd November 2012, in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.  It will last from 9.30am - 4.30pm.  Conference presenters include:  David Covington (National Chair of the NSPL Lifeline - lead U.S. strategy contributor on suicide risk assessment and prevention), Professor Annette Beautrais (World Health Organisation lead on international suicide prevention strategy results), Professor Mike Tomlinson (School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast, and author of ‘The Trouble with Suicide’), Trisha Forbes (Queen’s University Belfast, presenting on Contact’s Atlantic Philanthropies funded study on youth suicide prevention), and Dr John Devaney (QUB) / Dr Teresa Gerrity (NCB) presenting on early intervention aggression related trauma research.  Send all booking enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Wise Men of the East Network (in East Belfast) will, once again, be running an evening Men’s Clinic at Holywood Arches Health Centre - with health promotion information every other week.  The clinics begin on Wednesday 7th November and run each week from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.  In the past 12 months, 190 men have made use of the evening clinic, and an ‘Exit Survey’ showed that this experience provided (for the majority of the men) a motivation to improve their health, as well as offering them a strategy for how to do this.  The clinic is led by District Nurses, and is aimed at men who have not had contact with their GP in the last 12 months.  The service offers men over 35 years of age a check-up for their weight, blood pressure, screening of their blood, cholesterol level, and an opportunity to discuss their general health.  The results of raised blood sugar levels, cholesterol, prostate problems, raised blood pressure etc. are forwarded to GPs, and the men are advised to follow this up.  As well as men being referred by their GP, they can also refer themselves to the clinic by leaving their details on the answer machine at Tel: 02890 563307.  They will then be contacted about an appointment.  For further information, contact Alan Houston, on Tel: 02890 451512 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Does your men’s group need a constitution? ...  If you’re not sure, why not come along to the ‘Understanding Constitutions Workshop’ and find out?  This workshop will take place on Monday 26th November 2012, from 9.30am - 1.00pm, in Crumlin Road Gaol, Crumlin Road, Belfast.  At this event, you will find out about some of the benefits of becoming a constituted group, as well as having an opportunity to share your experience with like-minded people.  The workshop (and car parking) is free.  However, participants can choose, if they wish, to also enjoy a reduced fee guided tour of this well-known former prison after the workshop has ended (at a cost of £5.00 per head).  For more details, contact Michael Glover on Tel: 02890 329718 or book online at: www.wea-ni.com/seminar

{jcomments off}The ‘Rejuvenate Project’ is holding two meetings to explore the possibilities for starting-up Men’s Sheds for men aged 55+ in Ligoniel/Ballysillan and Upper Ardoyne areas of North Belfast.  These events will take place on: Thursday 15th November 2012, 12.00pm - 2.00pm, in Eglinton Presbyterian Church Hall, Carr’s Glen, Ballysillan Road, Belfast, BT14 6RB; and on Friday 16th November 2012, 12.00pm - 2.00pm, in The Wolfhill Centre, 148 Ligoniel Road, Belfast, BT14 8DT.  Everyone is welcome to attend, and lunch will be provided.  For further information, contact Geraldine at Tel: 02890 752990 / Mobile: 07850 651263 / Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}'Man Matters' is a partnership in Northern Ireland which involves the Workers' Educational Association (WEA), Home-Start NI, Parenting NI and the Men's Health Forum in Ireland.  It is supported by the Big Lottery Fund.  The project focuses on males, and addresses the themes of health, education, parenting/family, and community work/volunteering.  It works, primarily, with men to increase their knowledge and capabilities, but also seeks to influence how services are provided and policies are made.  Man Matters may be able to help your local work by offering courses, workshops, volunteering opportunities, events, seminars and conferences.  The project has, recently, re-launched its website at www.manmatters.org  and has created a new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Man-Matters/280916372017605