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Man Matters


The programme will provide a supportive, safe and welcoming learning environment for men in their own communities, and will offer courses that are specifically designed for men and which focus on topics which are of interest to them. These courses will address four key areas: learning, health/well-being, parenting, and community work/volunteering.

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“Man Matters” is a partnership project run by the Workers’ Educational Association, Home-Start NI, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, and Parents Advice Centre.

This initiative aims to help men to unlock their potential and improve their lives. It will support them to make a positive impact on their health, their children’s lives and their community, as well assisting Health and Social Services to increase their understanding of effective practice with men.
 
If you have a group of men who might be interested, or you simply want to receive more information, please contact Dawn or Gary at Tel: 02890 329718.


 

 

 

 

 

 


Latest Project News



John Monaghan - Mens Health PDF Print E-mail

Journalism student John Monaghan has had an interest in men's issues for some time and when he heard of the Man Matters project it prompted him to volunteer his time.

This is the first in a series of occasional articles John will write about men. We at the Man Matters project think that many men will recognise John's situation and hope that our project will help men like him take a more proactive approach to their health.

Read more...
 
Celebrating the Father Role Event: 16th June @ Stormont PDF Print E-mail

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The Man Matters Project held a

"Celebrating the Father Role" Event @

Long Gallery Stormont Thursday 16th June 2011

Being a father is one of the toughest but most rewarding jobs anyone can have. Every year, on the 3rd Sunday in June, Fathers Day is a time to celebrate that role. The Man Matters project is joining in the celebration of the Father role and at the same time raising awareness of the importance of fathers and how their role can be supported.

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Man Matters Course Map PDF Print E-mail

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Man Matters Courses Assist Opening of drop in centre PDF Print E-mail

Newry_Rainbow_Image_1Newry Rainbow Community is a social, befriending and informational organisation that exists to offer support to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender population in Newry City and the surrounding counties of Armagh, Down and Louth.

Last year a group of men from Newry Rainbow Community embarked on a course through the Man Matters project. The enrolled on a 'Preparing for Change/Working in your Community' course, in a bid to prepare themselves to open a drop in centre in Newry.

They successfully completed the course and went on to undertake a Level 2 course, 'Community Group Management'. These courses gave them the foundations they sought, to ensure they would be successful with their vision to open a competent and proficient drop in centre in Newry.

The culmination of the work was celebrated in September 2010. Newry Rainbow Community were busy with the Open night in their Drop in Centre, at 82a Hill Street, were they welcomed hundreds of visitors for a look around, a cuppa and a bit of networking, with high profile visits from both the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and leader of the SDLP, Margaret Ritchie.

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Accessing and Collecting Data: How & Why Seminar - 15/02/11 PDF Print E-mail
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The Man Matters Project, in partnership with ARK, is pleased to announce a joint workshop for groups working in the Men's sector

Accessing and collecting data: how and why
Tuesday 15th February 10.00am – 1.00pm.
Groundwork NI.
63-75 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast
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One of the difficulties with men's work is the lack of good quality research, evidence and data. Often when seeking to justify our work with funders or policy makers, we find that research and data explicitly focused on men are difficult to find. Nevertheless, in times of financial cutbacks, providing solid evidence becomes even more crucial.

Read more...
 
Free Community Group Management Course PDF Print E-mail

Free Community Group Management Course

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For Men Only

 

Course

Community Group Management

Where:

East Belfast Mission
239 Newtownards Road
Belfast, BT4 1AF

Start Date:

Tuesday 11th January 2011 

End Date:

Tuesday 15th March 2011 

Time:

7.00pm - 9.00pm 

This course allows participants to achieve a greater level of skill in community and voluntary work.  The course is accredited by the Open College Network.

Aimed at people who want to play a more active role in the management, running and development of community groups, this course aims to provide an introduction to management committee skills, roles and functions of a committee, roles and responsibilities of committee members,  running meetings and project planning etc.

Telephone Dawn 9032-9718 to confirm,   or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


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Man Matters - Men's Health Seminar 18/05/10 PDF Print E-mail

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First Project Seminar on Men’s Health - From Community to Professional - The Way Forward? 

The Mount Conference Centre, Woodstock Link, Belfast 

 Tuesday 18th May 10.00 -12.30

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Outline of Man Matters Courses PDF Print E-mail

Men & Parenting

The Flat Pack Guide for Fathers

This short course is designed for men who are in a parenting role.  The course aims to increase participants' understanding and knowledge of parenting skills.  Participants will be free to choose which topics interest them from an extensive list of family focused topics.

The course can be run over 4 two hour sessions.

Training Male Helpline Volunteers

This course seeks to increase the skills and knowledge base of men who are prepared to work as helpline volunteers. The Parents Advice Centre Helpline offers support and guidance to anyone facing difficulties in their families.  The PAC is seeking to involve a greater number of men in the service.

Men & Learning

IT

A variety of IT courses are available e.g. Introduction to Email and Text Messaging, Introduction to Using the Internet, Introduction to Personal Digital Photography, Presentation Software Level 1, Website Software Level 1.

Each introductory course can be run over 5 two hour sessions. The introduction courses are accredited by the Open College Network at Entry Level with 1 credit.  The Level 1 courses are accredited by the Open College Network with 4 credits.

Total Football

This discussion course uses the familiar theme of Football to encourage men to become involved in interactive group learning on topics which include history, hooliganism and racism, marketing and money matters.

As an introduction into the learning environment this course seeks, through the familiarity of the subject, to encourage men to become involved in further training and learning.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited by Open College Network at Level 1 with 1 Credit

Improve your Maths

This short course in Maths will help men to develop or brush up on their maths skills.  This course can be stand alone or taken in tandem with the Improve your English course below. It can also provide a starting point for progression to a longer more formal essential skills qualification.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions.

Improve your English

Designed to help men develop their written and spoken English, this relaxed course will utilise adult friendly resources keeping the emphasis on practical and useful learning. The course is also beneficial for fathers with young families to help with their children’s homework.

This course can be run over 10 two hour sessions.

Understanding Myself and Others

Many men, due to a lack of confidence and self belief, are reluctant to get involved in group or community activities, training or learning programmes. This personal development course, which looks at issues such as self esteem, assertiveness and motivation, can be a first step in encouraging men back into learning and increased involvement in group and community activity.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited by the Open College Network at Level 1 with 1 Credit.

Men and Community

Getting Involved in your Community

This accredited self-development course helps individuals build the skills necessary for effective involvement in community action. It is aimed at people who want to start a group, join an existing group, or for those already within a community group who wish to develop their skills.

Course content includes: Personal goal setting, confidence building, presentation and speaking skills and understanding the types of groups and their roles.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited by the Open College Network at Level 1 with 1 Credit.

Community Group Management

This course builds on the foundations laid by “Getting involved in your community” allowing participants to achieve a greater level of skill in community and voluntary work. Aimed at people who want to play a more active role in the management, running and development of community groups, this course aims to provide an introduction to management committee skills, running meetings and project planning.

Course content includes: Roles and functions of a committee, roles and responsibilities of committee members, planning and managing meetings.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited by the Open College Network at Level 2 with 3 Credits. N.B. Additional Home study will be required for accreditation.

Men and Health

Personal Health

This course provides an introduction to our physical and mental well being. Touching on the positive effects of good diet, exercise and awareness raising about sexual health, and the risks of smoking and alcohol, this course gives practical guidance on how to look after ourselves.  It is an excellent introduction to men’s personal health and a healthy platform for further study.

This unaccredited course can be run over 10 two hour sessions.

Men’s Health a Common Sense Course

This accredited course is for ordinary men who want to know more about how their body works. From top to bottom this course should help you understand more about your health and how to look after it.

Apart from the theory around men’s health, it is hoped we will also be able to offer practical help such as checks on cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 2 with 3 credits.

Understanding and Managing Stress

This course seeks to improve participants' understanding of stress.  It will help learners identify stress in their lives and the sources of stress.  Participants will learn how to distinguish between different types of stress, and the effects on their health and well being.  In addition to identifying ways of managing stress and how to deal with stressful situations, the course concludes by describing and evaluating some stress management techniques.

The course can be run over 10 two hour sessions. The course is accredited by the Open College Network with 3 Credits at Level 

Health Champion Trainer

This new course will be developed for men who have undertaken other training within the programme. It will be designed to encourage men to raise awareness of health issues with their peers.  Participants will be supported to organise a health awareness raising event which can be tied into health awareness week.

Learner Support

Mentoring and support

All participants (excluding those on service provider training) will receive mentoring support and guidance while on the programme. This will include:

  • Induction, looking at learning needs against provision.
  • A guidance session at the end of each course, examining progression options.
  • Offline support system using text messaging, e-mail and phone in addition to learning support.
 


Address:

WEA-NI Head Office
3 Fitzwilliam Street
Belfast
BT9 6AW
t: 028 9032 9718
f: 028 9023 0306

Charity No: XR31974
Ltd Company: NI27745 

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