The Men’s Table is a safe place to share and be heard in a confidential and non-judgemental environment, creating a greater sense of belonging, camaraderie and connection.
It’s healthy to show emotion and share feelings, yet for many men in their relationships with other blokes, the talk is mostly about ‘footy and sh*t’. There has never been a better time to be in a community.
The first step in joining a Table is to attend an Entree event. This will give you a good feel for how the Table works, you’ll meet other interested men, and you’ll see if it’s a fit for you.
There is no obligation to join after attending an Entree. There are no ongoing fees to join a Table.
The first Men’s Table (MT1) began in 2011 with twelve men who have met once a month for dinner ever since. Our vision is Healthy Men, Healthy Masculinities, Healthy Communities. We help men build meaningful male friendships and connection by creating safe places to share, overcoming the stigma that “men don’t talk”.
We are a national registered not for profit with a simple, local approach to community building. We have been commissioned twice by The National Mental Health Commission to undertake research into mens wellbeing.
of men who attend a Men’s Table felt a stronger sense of community belonging
of men who attend a Men’s Table felt it was a safe place to share
of men who attend a Men’s Table reported a benefit to their mental health and wellbeing
Steve’s Story
Attend an Entrée to meet other men, find out how a Table works and see if it’s a good fit for you. Entrees can be either in-person in your area or online. If you decide it’s for you, we guide you to a Table near you or, if there is no local Table, we work with you and a small group of local men to form a new Table. There is never any obligation to join.
This is a grassroots activity. Membership is free. Your commitment is to attend a minimum of 9 monthly meetings per year and your outlay is just the cost of a meal and a drink when you meet.
All kinds! Our youngest member is a brave 23-year-old, our oldest a sage 87-year-old. Men from all walks of life and backgrounds attend, to enjoy a sense of belonging, community, peer support and camaraderie.
A new Table is established when there are 8 or more men who become regular monthly members. Tables function best over the long term at around 12 members; this allows for diversity and a collective energy to sustain the Table over the long term.
Men’s Tables are forming in communities throughout Australia. If there isn’t yet a Table near you, then consider being part of a group of local men who start one. Come to an Entree first, and then let’s chat about helping you be part of forming a local Table.
No. Share when you are comfortable and support others as they share along the way. Men are wired differently and for some it’s easy to be open, while for others it can be a big step to talk about what’s really going on. One of the guidelines says ‘You can just listen’. You can just support a man by listening to his story.
