A safe and judgment-free space for men has been launched in Boronia this week, giving the local community the chance to access free and regular mental health support.
Boronia Rotary Club, along with Mind Forward, officially opened the Men’s Hub Snack and Chat on Wednesday 5 November.
The hub will provide a safe, judgment-free space for men from ages 18 to 65 to access mental health support, connect with others and hopefully break the stigma around men seeking help.
Community Working Group Chairman and Boronia Rotarian Peter Maldon said getting the hub project together came about after a ‘mammoth effort’, and the opening officially launched the 12-month project.
“All the feedback on the day was very positive,” he said.
“The project is funded and managed by the Rotary Club of Boronia with funding support from The Rotary Foundation, The City of Knox, The Bendigo Bank and the Boronia Scouts who supply the use of their Hall in Chandler Road.”
The beginning of a place providing real support, conversations and community to boot, the Rotary Club of Boronia Project Team, co-founders from Mind Forward, Inga and Felicia and the Boronia Scouts were all happy to officially commence the Wednesday sessions.
“Those who attended received a warm welcome with an explanation of the project’s aims and an outline of what we are to do for them in future sessions,” said Mr Maldon.
The event was also attended by Councillor Paige Kennett from Knox City Council, who said the local initiative will fill a gap in men’s mental health and is proudly supported by the council.
“Thank you to Rotary and Mind Forward for creating this safe space,” she said.
With a snack to get the afternoon going, the hub will now continue to provide confidential mental health support from professionals, peer support groups led by men with lived experience, one-on-one guidance and referrals to further resources and a welcoming community where men can talk without judgement.
As they move through the hub and the weekly sessions, the organisers hope attendees will open up, share their experiences, learn and adapt to their situations, and, above all, be supportive of others in similar situations.
The Men’s Hub came about after a Rotary Boronia member, who regularly attends the Infolink Breakfast Program for disadvantaged, homeless or lonely people, connected with Inga Moine from Mind Forward, who was attending as a carer.
The duo had a number of discussions on men’s health and saw that many men in the Boronia area were struggling in silence, leading to the realisation that a safe environment was badly needed.
Mr Malden said two of the attendees were very happy to have a one-on-one session with their counsellors on the opening day and that one attendee shared that the advice was ‘tailored, specific, and actionable at my end.’
“Get on board, everyone, this train is taking passengers,” said an attendee said over social media.
Going forward, the Rotary Club of Boronia Management Committee will collect confidential monthly reports on the hub and use this information and data to find ways to expand and tailor the newly launched community gem, from future grant opportunities to finding a dedicated space.
“The community need has been established and the project can only grow as the word is spread in the community,” said Mr Malden.
The Men’s Hub Snack and Chat sessions are free and require no bookings and will be held every Wednesday at the Boronia Scout Hall on Chandler Road from 1pm – 3pm.
