Men's Wellbeing Workshop

Workshop One: Men and Mental Wellbeing

Looking at the question, what does men's mental wellbeing mean to you? This first session will provide a brave and compassionate space for open conversations about the way we respond to our own mental wellbeing, what avenues of support we access, and those that we don't or have not yet considered. Throughout, we will be exploring the important role that gender plays in this conversation by:

• Self-reflecting on relationships with everyday wellbeing
  

• Moving past wanting to & 'survive' and building towards how we 'thrive'
  
• Exploring the importance of a collective/social response to mental wellbeing that sits
  alongside an individualist approach

Workshop Two: Masculinities and Seeking Support

Looking at how masculinities can inhibit or encourage us to seek help or support in a particular manner. On the second part of this series, we will be a deeper dive into masculinities and how they impact us and others, especially in regard to mental well-being. We will explore the ways in which we talk to one another and how we can - both individually and collectively - build more supportive structures and communities by:

• Looking at how we can build our social networks of support that are encouraging both
  self-care and help-seeking
  
• Exploring how we can build both personal trust and overcome discomfort in order to be
  able to seek help
  
• Reflecting upon the 'armour' or 'masks' we feel the need to wear to protect ourselves
  in the conversation around mental wellbeing.

Workshop 3: Men and Building Supportive Communities

Looking at the broader social dynamics at play and how they shape the way in which we are
aspiring to build more supportive communities. The final workshop will take participants beyond the are you OK? to explore the barriers they and others face to receiving support to the same degree and with the same regularity and begin to do the foundational work to lower them. In doing so, we can create a supportive environment in our community for everyone of all identities:

• Identify the key pillars of active listening and then develop those skills by putting them
  into practice
  
• Building empathy for, and identifying the barriers others face (based on their identities)
  in accessing support structures and the communities we represent and have agency
  over
  
• Reflecting on the ways we can shape our own support structures, through a process of
  allyship and proactivity while highlighting the gratitude we have for the avenues of
  support that we are already able to access

Accessibility:

The Centre's accessibility statement is here.

Covid and mpox safety at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre:

To keep our community safe, we ask that all visitors do not visit the Centre if they are feeling any Covid-19 and/or mpox symptoms including headache, fever, sore throat, consistent cough, chills and unusual spots, scabs or ulcers.

You can wear a mask if you feel more comfortable. We also have masks and hand sanitiser available at the Centre.

For current information on Covid and mpox please visit the NHS website.

Host or Publisher London LGBTQ+ Community Centre