News Update #3 March 2013

In this month’s news update you can read about:

• Plans for a £500k centre for men’s rites work in Sussex
• An invitation to help co-create The Big Man Gathering 2013
• A new list of UK Men’s Groups who gather on Facebook
• A free online seminar for men
• News of a Scottish Death Lodge
• News of a workshop for men of all ages
• Our featured groups this month is MENSPEAK in London
• A list of events for men happening in March 2013
• Round up of other news and information on men’s groups
• Contributors, writers, bloggers, social media editors wanted

Abandofbrothers seeking £500,000 for permanent home

Brighton-based men's rites charity abandofbrothers is joining forces with painter David Freud to raise half a million pounds to help establish a permanent home for its groundbreaking work in the city. Read more here

Could you help co-create the Big Man Gathering 2013?

The second Big Man Gathering will take place in September 2013, it will be co-created by various men's groups and facilitators from around the UK and if you want to be part of that process then we'd like to hear from you. Read more here

Men’s Groups On Facebook

If you are on facebook then we have some great news for you - you can now follow UK Men's Groups on facebook at the following link: www.facebook.com/UKMensGroups. You may also be interested to know that several UK Men's Groups run facebook pages and groups that you can visit and join. Read more here

Free online seminar for men happening now!

The Mankind Project(USA) is hosting a free Online Summit for men called The Power of Purpose over the next four days (Wednesday 27 February to Saturday 2 March 2013).Speakers include Dan Millman, Lion Goodman, Neale Donald Walsch and Jack Canfield. Read more here

Scottish Death Lodge Planned This Summer

Dave Bingham of Wild Earth is hosting a "Guided Death Lodge" in the Scottish Highlands."The Art of Letting Go" is a 5 day residential that runs from Wednesday June 5th to Sunday June 8th. Read more here

Nick Clements Runs Men Of All Ages Workshop

Professor Nick Clements is hosting a cross-generational workshop in Stroud this May that he says to enable men to "step into their indigenous beauty". Read more here

MENSPEAK in London is our featured men’s group this month

Kenny D'Cruz runs the MENSPEAK Men's Groups in London. These include monthly open groups, closed circles for men and occasional social activities like comedy nights and camping. Read more here

Events for men happening in March 2013

We’re working hard to list all men’s events happening in the UK in one place on line so do please update us. We have events in March listed for MKP, Journeyman UK, MROP, Lifebuilders and MensCraft. Read more here

Some other news on men’s groups

A couple of reminders from previous newsletters – firstly a reminder of the European men’s symposium is happening in May – read more here – and Tricia McLeod would like to hear from men interested in woman-led group on sexuality, sensuality and intimacy with women – read more here – and David Polak is running a weekend retreat in Newmarket in May/June – read more here - and to keep up with our full list of events for men - see this link.

Contributors wanted for UK Men’s Groups

Are you are a writer, blogger, social media expert, web developer, designer, willing volunteer? Would you like to help us develop UK Men’s Groups as a great free resource for men and men’s groups all over the UK? If so – or if you can recommend someone – please contact glen@glenpoole.com

That’s all for this month. Remember to join the UK Men’s Groups Facebook Page for more news and chat

To see previous news updates, click here now and if you have an item you'd like to see included in our April news update contact glen@glenpoole.com by Friday 22 March.  

Can You Help Create The Big Man Gathering 2013

Last year saw around 70 men take part in the first ever Big Man Gathering and this year sees the return of the event as part of the Third National Conference for Men and Boys.

The Big Man Gathering 2013 will be co-created by various men's groups and facilitators from around the UK and if you want to be part of that process then we'd like to hear from you.

This year's Big Man Gathering will be held over two days - Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September. 

If you want to be part of the creation process for this year's event then please contact glen@glenpoole.com. 

FREE online men's seminar happening now!

The Mankind Project(USA) is hosting a free Online Summit for men called The Power of Purpose over the next four days (Wednesday 27 February to Saturday 2 March 2013).Speakers include Dan Millman, Lion Goodman, Neale Donald Walsch and Jack Canfield.

To sign up for FREE now see this link to book online now.

Here’s what you’ll get out of the Summit:

Tools, techniques and insights about how to define or refine your personal purpose

Key practices to put into place right now to help you activate a new source of power

Resources and information to go deeper into your exploration of purpose

Fresh ideas and unique approaches to put your purpose into action

Inspiration to uncover and then fully live your purpose to truly make a difference

UK Men's Groups On Facebook

If you are on facebook then we have some great news for you - you can now follow UK Men's Groups on facebook at the following link: www.facebook.com/UKMensGroups

You may also be interested to know that several UK Men's Groups run facebook pages and groups that you can visit by clicking on the links below:

• MensCraft
• JourneymanUK
• Men's Rites Of Passage
• Men Of The Earth
• abandofbrothers
• Christian Vision For Men
• LifeBuilders
• LifeBuilders(London)

If you know of any other UK Men's Groups on Facebook do please let us know via email (glen@glenpoole.com)or at the UK Men's Groups Facebook page. 

New woman-led sex and intimacy group for men

Do you have questions about sexuality, sensuality and intimacy with women?

Would you like to be part of a small men's group centred around openess, honesty and respectfulness where men seeks to help, support and empower each other?

As well as its distinct theme, this unique men's group is facilitated by a woman who promises to "hold a safe, friendly and supportive space".

The group will be based in Brighton and is now taking enquiries from men who are interested in being involved. 

For more information please contact Tricia on 

07973 468241 or email mcleodtricia@googlemail.com.

MOT For The Male Soul This Weekend

All men are warmly invited to the next Keeping the Edges Hot men's event in Monmouthshire this weekend (4pm Friday 1st March to 1pm Sunday 3rd March).

It works for any group of men whether they already know each other well or not. You can get away from the pressures of home and work for a day or two, but feel able to be open and honest in the company of other men - a kind of MOT for the male soul. 

The group will be in a gorgeous spot close to a pub, not far from hills and forest. The organizers aren't going to give away the whole plot, but it will involve drumming (or hitting things that make noise), sharing time with the 'talking stick' and some out and about time with the great outdoors for company.

The event promises to be both fun and profound. Llansor Mill is convenient for the M5/50 corridor and the M4 corridor for road and rail, and also beautifully tucked away. It's located just off the old main road that runs north-south, connecting Caerleon to Usk, just into South Wales.

The address is Llansor Mill, Treherbert Road, Caerleon, Newport, NP18 1LS. 

More info available via the event's Facebook page.  

abandofbrothers turn to Freud for £500k centre

Brighton-based men's rites charity abandofbrothers is joining forces with painter David Freud to raise half a million pounds to help establish a permanent home for its groundbreaking work in the city.

The charity was established by men who work tirelessly to introduce positive social change through personal development and community building.


The charity is committed to local men working with young men introducing them to rites of passage and offering on going mentoring and support as Positive Male Role Models.





Part of the process for the young men is a long weekend away in nature called ‘The Quest’, where they experience a very powerful and profound rites of passage programme.

The charity is currently limited in how many of these weekends it can run each year.

The aim is for the charity to purchase its own site, so it can run more weekends and programmes and help more families and communities.

To help make this dream a reality abandofbrothers is hosting a 24 hour painting marathon with artists David Freud and Danny Agger on Thursday 14^th and Friday 15^th March.

To find out how you can get involved and help abandofbrothers raise half a million pounds next month visit their fundraising website today.

Men Of All Ages Get Together In Stroud

Professor Nick Clements is hosting a cross-generational workshop in Stroud this May that he says to enable men to "step into their indigenous beauty".

The day-long event at Hawkwood College will be spent exploring creativity and imagination, creating ceremony and ritual, being authentic, proud and vulnerable.

Nick says that men who attend can expect ot be challenged and empowered in a spirit of collaboration and creativity and promises you will enjoy yourselves, be heard, and have the opportunity to isten to others.

The day will start in 'heady' general discussions, then step into a space where emotions and support can be offered, and finally come to a state of raw, honest, transparent spiritual development.

Nick is a specialist in rites of passage with over 30 years experience of working with boys, men, fathers and grandfathers in areas of high social need.

He has lived, studied and been trained in ceremony and ritual by indigenous people all over the world and is an author, workshop leader, filmmaker, and storyteller.

Details of prices, bursaries and concessions are available from Hawkwood by calling 01453 759034 or emailing info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk.

To find out more about the Men Together workshop on Saturday 25 May visit the Hawkwood website.

Events For Men In March 2013

There are a number of events happening for men around the UK during March 2013 some of which are listed below:

Friday 1^st – Saturday 2^nd March: MKP(US) is hosting a free Online Summit for men called the Power of Purpose (Wed 27 February to Saturday 2 March) 

Friday 1^st – Saturday 2^nd March: All The King’s Men, Unity In Diversity, LifeBuilders, NTCG Nottingham

Friday 1^st – Sunday 3rd March: MOT For The Male Soul is how Men's Rites of Passage describe this 'Keeping the Edges Hot' men's even in Monmouthshire. 

Saturday 2nd March: MensCraft ‘Moot’, Women Raising Boys at the 4Women Centre, 18 Colgate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ

Friday 22^nd – Sunday 24^th March: Journeyman UK, Reclaiming Teenage Fire training course for men, South Gloucester

Friday 22^nd – Sunday 24^th March: The ManKind Project Adventure Training, The Comb, Northumberland

Saturday 30^th March: LifeBuilders Resurrection Breakfast, Jasper Carrott Suite, Birmingham City Football Club, 8.45am - 11.30am


To find out about events happening in April and beyond see our full events listings for 2013 

If you know of any events that you'd like to see listed here please email details to glen@glenpoole.com. 

MENSPEAK Men's Group (London)

Kenny D'Cruz runs the MENSPEAK Men's Groups in London. These include monthly open groups and a number of closed circles for men who want to commit to a group for at least 6 months.

From time to time Kenny's groups also get together socially for activities like comedy nights and camping. 

Email: Kenny@kennydcruz.con

Call: 07957 350034

Guided Death Lodge (Scotland)

Dave Bingham of Wild Earth is hosting a "Guided Death Lodge" in the Scottish Highlands.

"The Art of Letting Go" is a 5 day residential that runs from Wednesday June 5th to Sunday June 8th. 

Death Logdes were ancient tribal people's ritual for coming terms with our physical death. Contemporary Psychologists like Bill Plotkin (author of Soulcraft, Nature and the Human Soul and Wild Mind)have adopted the concept to be a tool for dealing with loss and failure.

According to the Wild Earth website this resonates with one of the teachings of Jesus Christ:

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it will bear much fruit.

Find out more about this Guided Death Lodge at the Wild Earth website or contact Dave Bingham for more information on info@wildearth.org.uk.

MKP iGroup (Romsey)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Romsey, Hampshire that meets on Thursdays.

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP iGroup (Dartmoor Mission Group)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Devon called the Dartmoor Mission Group that meets fortnightly on Thursdays. 

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP iGroup (Bournemouth)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Bournemouth that meets on Tuesdays.

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP iGroup (Bristol)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Bristol that meets fortnightly on Thursdays. 

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP iGroup (Bath)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Bath that meets fortnightly on Thursdays. 

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP iGroup (Thursday TinTabbers Brighton)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group called the Thursday TinTabbers that meets every Thursday in Brighton.

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk

MKP Lamanai iGroup (Brighton)

The ManKind Project (MKP) has a local men’s group in Brighton called the Lamanai iGroup that meets fortnightly on Mondays. 

For contact details of this and other regional MKP Men’s groups (iGroups) see the MKP blog or email David Drysdale on centremanager@mkp.org.uk or contacti-groups@mkp.org.uk