So, it’s been a while since we published a blog, but a lot has been happening and we’ve been busy in all the best ways.
It’s been 7 months since Men Who Talk was launched, and 6 months since we ran our first group. In that time we’ve had a REMARKABLE response from men of all kinds, and the wider community of mental health support.
At times it’s seemed overwhelming, and there have certainly been a fair few challenges to overcome during the first few months of operating. BUT our small and mighty team have faced up to those challenges and we’re so excited to see the organisation continuing to thrive.
When we launched in January, we had no brand recognition, and as an unregistered non-profit organisation it was challenging to navigate a complicated system to ensure we established ourselves properly and sustainably.
We could not be MORE excited than to announce we will shortly be putting forward an application for Charity Status with the Charity Commission, something which will unlock funding opportunities and the chance to kick MWT up a notch in what we offer. This has been an enormous amount of work, and we can’t thank our board of trustees enough for their countless hours of commitment to getting this right.
Whilst the last 7 months have been an incredible experience for the team, they have also been a tiring one. So, we are announcing that August will be a rest month for MWT, and all normal operations for support groups will be paused. Don’t worry though, we will be back in September FULLY revitalised and ready to get back to what we love: championing chat for ALL men and providing truly innovative spaces for men to connect.
We will still be running our social media channels, and have lots of exciting behind the scenes things planned, however we are firm believers in rest and self-preservation, so responses to enquiries may be slightly delayed. We hope you understand and support us in taking the time to rest.
When our groups return in September, we will also be making some structural changes, so keep your eyes peeled for these exciting advancements of the groups. We’ve been listening closely to all your feedback and can’t wait to put it all into action to make our services even better.
For now, it’s a “see you later” from us. Please continue to reach out to Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258 if you need someone to talk to.
See you in September!
Sam & The Men Who Talk Team
