{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).

{jcomments off}The European Men's Health Forum recently launched a new online service which enables men to ask prostate-related questions and to get fast, free, confidential replies from specialist nurses and doctors.  It's totally anonymous, and is part of a European-wide project to find out what men want to know about their prostates.  The Your Prostate website answers questions from men about all aspects of prostate health, from general concerns through symptoms, diagnosis, support, treatment and follow-up care.  Visit it at: www.yourprostate.eu

{jcomments off}If you are a father or male guardian of a boy(s) under 12 years of age, you are welcome to come along to a free two night course called “Raising Boys for Fathers”.  This course is designed to help you in your role as a father.  It will assist you to develop a strong relationship with your boy(s), as well as giving you practical examples of ways to help your son develop into a well-rounded and mature young man.  The course is facilitated by Health Promotion Services and the Primary Care Team.  It will take place from 8.00pm to 10.00pm in Belmullet, Co. Mayo (17th and 24th of January 2011) and in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo (31st of January and 7th of February 2011).  For more information or to book a place, please contact Paul Gillen, HSE West, on Tel: 091 548323.

{jcomments off}You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Men’s Policy Forum within NICVA.  This will take place on Wednesday 26th January 2011 in NICVA (61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast  BT15 2GB) from 10.30am - 1.00pm.  You don’t need to be a policy expert to attend this group.  The Forum is open to anyone (male or female) who has an interest in men’s issues and needs.  The focus of this gathering will be “Male Victims of Domestic Abuse”, and there will be an opportunity to hear some of the findings from the recent research conducted in this area by the Men’s Advisory Project (MAP).  For more information and/or to confirm your attendance, please contact Cathy Breslin from NICVA at Tel: 02890 877777 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Is your organisation interested in developing work with fathers?  Do you ask yourself questions such as: Where do we start?  What is possible?  Who can help us?  What has been tried in other places?  Would you like training and ongoing support to achieve your goal? ...   If so, then "Kick Start" might help you!  Kick Start is an innovative initiative (coordinated by the Parenting Forum NI within Parents Advice Centre), which offers a package of training, support, reflection and practical action to organisations that are currently trying to, or wishing to, engage with fathers in Northern Ireland.  Applications are now invited for the next programme intake which begins in February 2011.  This is open to both male and female workers.  To apply for a place, contact Pauline Martin at Tel: 02890 310891 or visit: www.parentsadvicecentre.org/projects/mensproject/kickstart.asp   Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

{jcomments off}In December 2010, the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme (formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency) released a new research report which captures the experiences, opinions and attitudes of a group of young men from lower socio-economic groups on the subjects of sexual activity, their roles as fathers, and how they view themselves as men.  These issues were discussed within the broader context of Irish society, cultural assumptions about fatherhood, and representations of young men and fathers in various media.  This report is available online in Portable Document Format (PDF) from: 
www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/cpa-Nixon-Report.pdf