The Men’s Health Unlocked network started during 2020 when Forum Central, Touchstone, Orion and Barca came together to create a network for all the great men’s work happening in and around Leeds. Since then, we have secured three rounds of funding from the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund, which has allowed us to deliver some innovative new projects in the city.
- In 2020-1, we delivered a 6-month project that helped men during the Covid pandemic. This included a men’s helpline and evening support sessions via social media co-created with organisations like Leeds Dads.
- In 2022-3, we delivered an 18 month service, which saw Touchstone delivering a bigger set of projects aimed at improving men’s health in the city. This included: a phone line for men, Digital Trailblazers project reruiting men’s advocates to share health-related content on social media, and a consultation and outreach activities based around the theme ’21st Century Men’
- In 2024, we were funded for a further 2.5 years to deliver a new geographically-focused project, with Touchstone focusing on the South of Leeds, Barca the West and Space2 the East.
To find out more about our current work, please visit the Forum Central website.
Much of our work is also about creating strategic systems change and raising awareness of issues facing men. The network is rapidly growing with monthly network meetings that help to progress and inform men’s work. In 2022, we presented at the annual Men and Boys coalition conference. We also work with Professor Alan White, one of the co-authors of the State of Men’s Health in Leeds report and are part of the push for a national Men’s Health Strategy.
Our Work in Pictures
