Spotlight: Our dedicated men’s mental health sessions

Since July 2024, we have been running regular sessions for male clients with mental health and wellbeing as their focus. These sessions have been made possible through a second round of funding from Carlton Hayes Mental Health Charity. 

Our EmpowerMENt sessions are predominantly delivered from our centrally located Community Lounge and focus on men’s mental health; providing people with opportunities to increase their social contact in a safe space where they know they won’t be judged and in an environment which they trust. At any given time, we have 230 individuals living with us, of which approximately 75% are male. Poor mental health is common amongst men who have experienced homelessness, with 63% of our target group affected.

“Thanks to you guys I feel human again” – Client feedback from EmpowerMENt sessions

Each session is led by experienced support staff, and have has a theme or activity which attendees can complete over conversation. Often people can find it difficult to engage with a formal, sit-down or round table discussion. However, a central activity which everyone can participate in can result in conversations around mental health happening organically and will gives project beneficiaries the opportunity to try new things and develop skills and interests. Recent sessions have involved a cooked breakfast for clients to share, art therapy, football sessions, Lego building and photography. We make full us of the facilities at our Engage Wellbeing Hub, which has a Community Lounge area, kitchen and outdoor space. Activities focus on both practical skills and wellbeing.

 

 

Our Impact Snapshot for 2024/2025:

  • We held 19 session over a period of 12 months
  • Our attendance logs recorded 87 visits to the sessions in total
  • We reached 30 unique individuals over a period of 12 months and we are continuing to hold regular sessions 

At a recent EmpowerMENt session we were lucky enough to welcome Mike Sewell,  a local professional photographer who donated his time and skills to take photographs of the session and our clients which we won in a prize draw. Capturing these images is incredibly valuable to us as a charity, helping a wider audience to gain an understanding of the work that we do and challenge stereotypes of homelessness. 

All photos: Mike Sewell Photography