{jcomments off}Helplink's national online or by phone counselling service is offering 14 free counselling sessions to men to mark International Men's Health Week this year.  They are giving away two sessions a day throughout the week.  All you have to do is email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and a phone number, quoting 'IMH Week', and they will offer session dates and times during that week for you to choose from.

{jcomments off}Pathways to Health Level 3 is a training programme for community and voluntary sector leaders who are committed to tackling inequalities in health using a community development approach.  The benefit of this training is the chance to link grass roots practice with operational, strategic and policy working.  It will provide participants with the opportunity to tackle health inequality in a unified way, underpinned by the principles and practice of community development. 

The training will be delivered as a series of master classes - one a fortnight for 12 weeks - in the Tower Hotel, Derry / Londonderry.   Each master class will be led by relevant experts, and will focus on one of six main themes: Health Inequalities (10th April), Community Development (24th April), Sustainability and Health (8th May), Economy and Health (15th May), Research and Health (5th June), and Local Government and Health (12th June). 

To register, contact Caroline McNulty at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 02830 264606.  Alternatively, you can download an application form at: www.cdhn.org/pages/index.asp?title=Level_3_-_Pathway_to_Health&catID=536

{jcomments off}A new six week programme for older men in rural parts of County Cavan - called ‘Men, Moving, More’ - not only aims to get men active, but also seeks to promote their social inclusion.  The three activities planned are pitch-and-putt, fishing and hill-walking, and the dates are: Fishing (Killeshandra) 9th and 16th March; Hill-walking (TBC) 23rd and 30th March; Pitch-and-Putt (Cornafean) 6th and 13th April.  To book a place, contact Dean McElroy at Tel: 049 4378582 or 087 2623956.

{jcomments off}Families Need Fathers NI (FNFNI) is a support organisation in Northern Ireland for parents (predominantly, but not exclusively, fathers) seeking to maintain a relationship with their children following divorce or separation.  FNFNI hosts meetings where you can get together with other parents, and receive advice from more experienced members who understand your situation and can support you.  FNFNI can also offer advice on legal options if you need to go to court to secure a relationship with your children.  For those entitled to Legal Aid, or who are able to pay for legal representation, FNFNI can recommend solicitors and barristers.  For those who wish to represent themselves, FNFNI can advise on this, and can often offer the assistance of a ‘McKenzie Friend’ - a lay legal advisor who can attend court with you and support you through the process.  Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, at 7.30pm, in Greater Whitewell Community Surgery, 878 Shore Road, Belfast, BT36 7DQ.  For more information, visit: www.fnfni.info  or Tel: David (0780 4909135), Jim (0770 2582136) or Simon (0799 0866640).

{jcomments off}You are invited to ‘Mengathering 2013’ which will take place from Friday 22nd March (8.00pm) - Sunday 24th March (2.00pm) 2013, in Dunderry Park, Navan, Co. Meath.  Mengathering is about men spending time together in a restorative, supportive and productive community.  It is an opportunity for wisdom sharing, resource finding and vision making. 

Grounded in the philosophy that there is no one template for masculinity or manhood, Mengathering is dedicated to assisting participants to understand the codes of manhood that they have cultivated so far, to heal those that are unproductive, and to honour those that are healthy.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01 6704905 / 087 2414963.

{jcomments off}Killycarney Gardening Group (near Blacklion in Co. Cavan) has restarted its weekly sessions.  This informal social group gives practical step-by-step guidance to growing your own vegetables, flowers and herbs.  The Men's Group meets from 1.30pm - 4.00pm each Thursday, and new members are welcome.  No experience is necessary - just a willingness to learn and be part of the group.  There is no heavy work required, and raised beds are available for people who can’t stoop to ground level.  For more information, contact Sandy or Geraldine at Tel: 071 9853321.

{jcomments off}The Men's Health Forum in Ireland has launched a 'Young Men and Suicide Project' (YMSP) Report.  The aim of YMSP was to identify a range of possible means to promote positive mental health among young men on the island of Ireland. 

Both the Full Report (www.mhfi.org/ymspfullreport.pdf) and the Executive Summary (www.mhfi.org/ymspexecsummary.pdf) can be downloaded from this website.

{jcomments off}The Western Health and Social Care Trust is inviting applications for places on their two day ‘Engage’ training course.  This is a comprehensive training programme which aims to increase participants’ understanding of best practice in engaging men with health and social services.  It will take place on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March 2013, from 9.30am - 4.30pm, in Clooney Hall, Derry / Londonderry. 

The training will cover: the need for a specific focus on men’s health; gender and health; factors that influence men’s health; how to engage with men using brief intervention and motivational interviewing techniques.  For more details and an application form see: www.mhfi.org/whsctengage.pdf