Men of Hope has launched a free national online social group for men to get connected and have a chat in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment.
The group has been running since July 2016 and is eager to add virtual members to the growing list of participants of men aged 18 and above across the country, with a focus on men in regional and remote areas.
Men from all walks of life are invited to get involved in the activities, which range from cooking to video chats and one on one calls.
The participants will meet in small groups with a support coordinator from Black Swan Health where they can connect regularly, participate in group activities and feel supported.
For Kevin Newton, better know as Big Kev, the group has been life changing.
“I wasn’t interested one bit, but my case manager said I needed to give it a go, so I reluctantly went along to an event and haven’t stopped coming since.
“I was welcomed and for the first time in years, I was treated as an equal. I love it, it’s very social. If you want to talk about your problems, you talk about your problems, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to – it’s up to you,” said Kev.
Eager to help with the national rollout, Kev joined Black Swan Health as a support coordinator.
“If you would have told me four years ago I would be working as a peer support worker helping men becoming socially connected, I would have laughed at you. I wasn’t in the mindset to help anyone, let alone myself. But times have changed, and I’m in the position to give back to my community now,” said Kev.
Support coordinator Gerhard Rousseau said, “it’s a great opportunity for men from around Australia – especially in remote communities where they may be feeling even more isolated – to come together for a yarn, enjoy each other’s company and have a safe space they can discuss what is happening in their lives.”
For more information about the group and to join, click here or call 0409 976 426.
