"Men's talk"

I am a recovered alcoholic and currently three and half years sober. At the start of my recovery I was made homeless and trying to deal with the emotions with all that this entailed was very difficult.

I attended Northlands recovery programme during covid which closed nearly 4 weeks into my programme due to covid. However, I am currently volunteering, helping the residents during their programme, staying over once a week. From that with the 2 years aftercare programme, I attended weekly update sessions talking about feelings and how to deal with them in a safe place, learning coping mechanisms throughout my time on the programme.

So between that and AA I thought there should be a safe place for men to come and talk  openly and to break down the common barriers and myths around men's mental health. I started a fishing group aimed at men with addiction and mental health and the men's café. During these events I have seen the positive impact this has had on men opening up when given a safe place.

I worked with Kevin the social worker, discussing the benefits and positive outcomes that has come from the men's café and the fishing groups. We have had rich conversations between the men that have attended. Local businesses have planned to help fundraise in order to continue with the café men's groups and we are aiming to seek funding to fund more fishing groups.

The men's café has been a great success and thanks to everyone involved, especially those businesses investing their time and energy in fundraising, and to Kevin for helping create posters, attend radio interview and most importantly signposting men to the café events to give them a safe place to talk about their mental health.