{jcomments off}The Health Service Executive Health Promotion Department Dublin / North East invites you to participate in their ‘Jest for the Health of It - Using Humour to Promote Health’ workshop.  This will take place on Tuesday 23rd April 2013, from 9.30am to 1.00pm, in the Regional Education Centre, St. Brigid's Complex, Kells Road, Ardee, Co. Louth.  The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to introduce humour into health courses and presentations - with a view to making the experience more entertaining and health messages more memorable.  In the words of Virginia Trooper: ‘It’s not what’s taught, but what’s caught.  If we can get our students’ mouths open for laughter, we can slip in a little food for thought!’  Upon completion of the training, participants will have: explored the different theories of humour; gained an understanding of the health benefits of laughter; acquired a basic understanding of joke structure; participated in a punchline challenge; acquired practical skills in formulating health promotion in a humorous way.  The training is An Bord Altranais Category 1 approved, and will be delivered by Finian Murray, Men's Health Development Officer, HSE (stand-up comic in his personal time).  To book a place on this free training, contact Finian on Tel: 00353 (0)87 2038790 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Marie Keating Foundation’s annual ‘Get Men Talking’ campaign will once again run throughout March.  This initiative aims to promote early detection as the first line of defence when it comes to testicular and prostate cancer.  Throughout the month, the Foundation will also focus on the importance of being vigilant about men’s health issues and reducing the risk of developing cancer through positive lifestyle choices. 

The Foundation will encourage people to visit its dedicated interactive website - www.getmentalking.ie - which has been developed specifically to focus on men’s cancers, and offers practical information and advice.  Importantly, it gives users the chance to ‘Ask an Expert’ about any concerns they may have in complete confidence. 

This service is provided free of charge, and affords users the opportunity to speak up about symptoms which they may feel are embarrassing.  This year, the Foundation will also host a Men’s Health Conference.  This will see both prostate cancer patients and experts working in the field coming together to discuss issues such as developments in treatment options and potential quality of life issues such as impotence and incontinence. 

Throughout the month of March, the Foundation’s Mobile Information Units will be visiting men’s groups and workplaces nationwide - bringing them the facts about male cancers and the benefits of talking more openly about health issues.  The service is provided in an informal way, and is completely free of charge.  Log on to www.mariekeating.ie to arrange for a Mobile Information Unit to visit your organisation or to see if there will be a Unit visiting a community near you.

{jcomments off}The main aim of the ‘Men on the Move Activity Programme’ was to increase the level of physical activity amongst men over 35 years of age in Co. Mayo.  The emphasis in the programme was on creating awareness and understanding of the importance of physical activity and the health benefits for not only physical health, but for mental health and well-being as well. 

The programme ran over 16 weeks, and offered a variety of activities to men aged 35 to 74 years old.  It was delivered in three pilot sites: Ballina, Claremorris and Westport.  The programme followed the Department of Health and Children’s National Physical Activity Guidelines for Ireland (2009). 

An evaluation report is now available online at: www.mhfi.org/mayomenonthemove.pdf

{jcomments off}Would you like to develop a website for your men’s group, Men’s Shed or simply advertise your support services for men? ...  If the answer is ‘yes’, then Man Matters is running a free four day workshop to teach you how to design your own website.  At the end of the training, participants will be able to produce their own self-managed website.  Applicants must have a basic understanding of IT (i.e. they should know how to use a mouse, a keyboard, and how to access emails and the Internet).  It is also desirable that participants understand the basics of word processing, have knowledge of computer filing systems (using folders, copying and moving files etc.), and an understanding of internet protocols (e.g. what a domain name is and what a web address means).  The course is free to men and women who work with men’s groups, as well as to anyone who has completed a course under the Man Matters programme.  The training will take place in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, on consecutive Fridays: 12th, 19th, 26th April and 3rd May 2013.  To book a place on this course, contact Michael Glover on Tel: 02890 329718 or visit: www.wea-ni.com/seminar

{jcomments off}In association with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Men's Development Network is organising a White Ribbon Conference titled: ‘What Men Can Do’.  This will take place on Thursday 18th April, 2013, from 10.00am - 4.30pm, in the Gibson Hotel, Point Village, Dublin.  The Keynote Speaker will be Michael Kaufman.  Michael will address the audience on the subject of: ‘Men and Women Engaging Men and Boys to End Violence Against Women and Promote Gender Equality’.  See www.whiteribbon.ie for more details.

{jcomments off}A new report from the Men’s Health Forum in England and Wales has revealed the lack of emotional support for men in relationship difficulties.  ‘Try to see it my way: Improving relationship support for men’, published with Relate, explores men’s attitudes to seeking relationship support.  It is part of a national awareness campaign by Relate to encourage men to think about their relationships, and increase their participation in support programmes such as psychological therapies and relationship coaching. 

According to the report, men have less access to emotional support from relatives and friends than women, are less likely to seek professional help for personal problems, and are less likely to consult relationship counselling services.  They are also more prone to ‘avoidance strategies’ such as the increased consumption of alcohol.  The report suggests work is a key factor.  Men’s tendency to work longer working hours can cause conflicts with their life-work balance, while financial difficulties can increase pressure on males - who are often still the primary breadwinners in families. 

A Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the report is available online at: www.menshealthforum.org.uk/sites/menshealthforum.org.uk/files/MHF_Relate_TryToSee.pdf

{jcomments off}The next ARK seminar, ‘Taking Boys Seriously: A five year longitudinal study of adolescent male school-life experiences’ takes place on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.  Ken Harland and Sam McCready (University of Ulster) and Michael McKenna (YouthAction NI) will present the findings of their study of 378 adolescent boys, aged 11-16, from across Northern Ireland.  The longitudinal aspect of the research will help participants to understand the reasons why certain boys may not achieve more successful educational outcomes.  The study offers recommendations and suggestions for pragmatic and cost neutral ways for teachers, practitioners and policymakers to help boys make better connections between school and their wider social, emotional and developmental needs.  The seminar will be held in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, from Noon to 1.00pm, and will be followed by a sandwich lunch.  Everyone is welcome, and the seminar is free.  However, places must be booked in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 028 7167 5513.

{jcomments off}County Monaghan VEC is facilitating the opening of a Men’s Shed - called the ‘Men’s HUB’ - in Monaghan town.  As part of the programme, a FETAC Level 4 Woodcraft course will be delivered at The Blackwater Learning Centre, Knockconan, Emyvale (date to be confirmed). 

The course will take place one evening per week for approximately fifteen weeks, from 7.00pm - 10.00pm.  If you are interested in taking part in the training, or becoming involved in the project in any way, please phone Mary at the Blackwater Centre on Tel: 047 87049 or text Caroline Flanagan (VEC Project Coordinator) on 087 7945395.  Participation in the programme and project is free and open to all men.  For more information visit www.monaghanmenshub.ie