Menpower training programme starts next month in Offaly
The MenPower programme supports men to learn new skills to help them manage and maintain better mental health and wellbeing. The programme combines a unique mix of mental health, adult guidance, physical activity and a social space that affords men the opportunity to explore the following:
How to be and stay well
Barriers to achieving their goals and desires
How to plan for their future.
Many professional individuals and agencies, both internal and external contribute to the programme, sharing their insights, wisdom and knowledge. On a Wednesday the focus of the session is mental fitness while Thursday’s sessions focus on taking positive actions to move forward and develop a life plan.
All graduates of the twelve-week programme are then given the opportunity to engage with each other on a regular basis by becoming members of the group Tearmann na bhFear (Men’s Haven), this group is comprised solely by the men who have completed a 12-week programme and they meet on a regular basis and engage in various different activities.
A recent graduate of the programme stated “MenPower is very good, it helps you stop and think and take some time for yourself. Plenty of information and a very relaxed atmosphere”
The next MenPower Programme will begin in Tullamore on February 1st, and is available to any man over the age of 18. It can benefit men who are lost, confused, down or affected by employment issues. For more information please contact Aoife on 087-7385989 or via email [email protected]
Graduate's Testimony
“I have just finished a 12-week course called MenPower. I am speaking from the bottom of my heart, Aoife and Des have saved my life.
12/13 weeks ago, all I could do was go from the bed to the chair and back again punctuated by a single visit to Tesco self-service on a Wednesday and back to bed, didn’t know what time of day or night it was, it didn't matter.
Now I've been showering every Tuesday night for the last 12 weeks in anticipation of the next two days with the MenPower group. I'm back to some decent sleep for a change and a completely different person than the one that came in.
But it was the meeting, laughing, crying sharing and the listening to each other that has me hopeful for the future, I can now safely say I have my brothers and friends and no man will be left behind. I am at a total loss as to how this programme hasn't been rolled out countrywide.
Men like us in MenPower are in dire straits. I see them everywhere, turning to anything that will take away the darkness just for a few hours. A pal, a friend, a buddy, that is what is needed in my humble opinion for men who are lost, plus tea, sandwiches and a good laugh go a long long way! MenPower simply needs to expand and get this initiative right across the country especially in the rural areas of this land. Every man out there needs to hear and learn about MenPower, it saved my life. “
Mick (MenPower graduate)