{jcomments off}Have you ever heard the above statement?  Or have you ever heard yourself say: “go ask your Ma” or “don’t talk about things like that”?  Then, this course might be for you.  Often dads can be excluded from the support and help their sons and daughters need - particularly when growing into adulthood. The Family Planning Association (FPA) recognises the crucial input that dads play in the social and sexual development of both their sons and daughters.  Therefore, FPA is offering a free, two-day, Speakeasy course to fathers.  This will take place on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th of April 2011, from 10.00am - 3.00pm, in Belfast.  For more details, contact Roisin Flanagan at Tel: 02890 316115 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}HandyMen (NI) Ltd has been in operation since April 2009, and is one of the social economy projects run by the Da - Young Father’s Project.  HandyMen provides basic maintenance services to the private, community and voluntary sectors throughout Northern Ireland.  The project was set up to: give young fathers practical hands-on experience in a working environment; develop their interpersonal skills; provide an opportunity to gain a recognised vocational qualification.  In addition to these benefits, the project also impacts positively on the young fathers’ lives e.g. by increasing their motivation and drive and, in the process, helping to increase and improve relationships with their children.  The services provided include painting and decorating, joinery, plastering, removals, commercial cleaning, garden maintenance and grass cutting.  An experienced member of staff supervises all work.  For more information, contact John on Tel: 02871 372787.

{jcomments off}This year, International Men's Health Week (MHW) will run from Monday 13th until Sunday 19th June 2011.  The focus in Ireland will be upon: "Promoting and Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Men and Boys during Challenging Times".

The world of men, and the roles that they play in it, have certainly changed dramatically in a very short period of time.  All of these changes bring new challenges (both positive and negative).  Therefore, the key message for this week will be: “let’s talk about it”.  But what is there to talk about? ...

• The current economic recession has made a huge impact upon men’s jobs, status, income, spending, lifestyle, debt, sense of security and health.
• On average, men are living longer, but they are not, necessarily, healthier.
• Men face a range of acute and chronic illnesses, many of which are preventable.
• Father’s roles / the expectations of fathers have expanded, but the number of disputed cases relating to access to children is also rising.
• Obesity is on the increase, while healthy eating and exercise are decreasing.
• Depression in men is becoming more prevalent (or at least acknowledged) and the male suicide rate is still extremely high.
• Males are often not aware of where and how to find help and support.
• Young men (particularly) engage in a range of high-risk activities.
• There is increasing recognition that males can be victims of domestic abuse.
• There are a lot of projects that work with men to improve their health, but we are still unsure about what ‘effective practice’ with men looks like.
• The Republic of Ireland has a Men’s Health Policy, but is it making a difference?  On the other hand, Northern Ireland does not even have a framework for evaluating if men’s health needs are being met ...

{jcomments off}The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is seeking volunteers in the Republic of Ireland to get two important messages out into the community: (1) It is possible to reduce your risk of cancer by as much as 50% by making lifestyle changes.  (2) Spotting a change that could be cancer early can save lives.  To become a volunteer, you need to be willing to attend a two day training programme on either 4th-5th February, 8th-9th April, or in September 2011 (dates to be confirmed).  You don’t need to have medical training to become a volunteer.  However, a number of qualities are important.  These include: being able to deliver a talk / information while sticking to the ICS message; good communication skills; a willingness to learn; reliability; and being able to organise and keep records.  For more information, contact: Rosemary Scott at Tel: 01 2310579 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}If you are a father and would like to share your views and opinions, please keep reading.  In modern Ireland, men seem to be more involved from the beginning, to support and encourage their partners through their pregnancy, and to prepare themselves for all and any life changes that may occur throughout fatherhood.  But is there any support thereafter for these men?  This study aims to highlight any common issues and possible stressors ahead for dads, to enhance knowledge surrounding these issues, and to look at if there is a need to have more support for men.  Follow the link to take part in this study.  Your opinion really counts:  www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=IKHLIL_cf476ede

{jcomments off}Northern Irish Parents of babies due (or placed for adoption) on or after the 3rd of April 2011, have the right to avail of Additional Paternity Leave and Pay (APL&P).  This is on top of the two weeks Statutory Paternity Leave already due to fathers.  Fathers can take between two and twenty-six weeks Additional Paternity Leave (APL) after the 20th week since the baby’s birth or adoption, providing the mother has returned to work.  The father’s APL must be completed by the baby’s first birthday, with Additional Paternity Pay in line with the mother’s maternity period.  Fathers considering APL&P should provide eight weeks notice to their employer, advising them of their intention to take APL.  For further information on APL&P, including rules and eligibility, and other childcare and work related issues, call Employers for Childcare’s Freephone Helpline on 0800 028 6538.

{jcomments off}One of the difficulties with men’s work is the lack of good quality research, evidence and data.  Nevertheless, in times of financial cutbacks, providing solid evidence of need becomes even more crucial.  The Man Matters project has teamed up with ARK to help address the gaps identified, and a free workshop (supported by the Big Lottery Fund) has been planned for Tuesday 15th February 2011, 10.00am - 1.00pm, in Belfast.  This will focus upon: "Accessing and Collecting Data: How and Why", and will identify a range of online data sources relevant to work with men as well as focus upon the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of collecting data.  The seminar will be practically orientated.  To book a place, ring Michael Glover on 02890 329718, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your contact details, putting ‘Research workshop’ in the subject line.  Click here for more details on this event.

{jcomments off}International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This year, it will run from Monday 13th until Sunday 19th June 2011 and, in Ireland, will focus upon "Promoting and Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Men and Boys During Challenging Times".  MHW is celebrated in most European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia and a number of other places worldwide.  The overarching aims of this week are to: heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages; support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities; encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.  Why not put these dates into your diary, and start thinking about how your organisation could mark this week and engage men / boys in this area?  You can view an evaluation of MHW 2010 at: www.mhfi.org/mhwevaluation2010.pdf (PDF, 1.46MB).