International Men’s Day is on Saturday 19th November. The objectives of International Men’s Day include a focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models. It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them.

The theme for 2016 is Stop Male Suicide. In every country bar China where it is approximately equal the suicide rate is worse for men than women and averaged out on a country by country basis the rate of suicide for men is up to three times that of women. In Russia it is 6 men for every 1 women. Men’s health is worse than women’s in every part of the world. Recent World Health Organization (WHO) data shows that, globally, male life expectancy at birth in 2015 was 69 years; for females, it was 74 years. Children suffer when they lose a father or a grandfather prematurely. So let’s work together to turn the tide of male ill-health & suicide.

Another theme for this year is ‘Making an Difference for men and boys’ The theme is designed to help more people consider what action we can all take to “make a difference” by addressing some of the issues that affect men and boys such as;

  • The high male suicide rate
  • The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education including attainment
  • Men’s health, shorter life expectancy and workplace deaths
  • The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society (for instance, homeless men, boys in care and the high rate of male deaths in custody)
  • Male victims of violence, including sexual violence
  • The challenges faced by men as parents, particularly new fathers and separated fathers
  • Male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based crime, stalking and slavery
  • The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers

The key issue of focus at a national level for 2016 is “supporting boys with their academic, employment, personal, social and health education“. There will also be a continuation of the attention on male suicide. International Men’s day also coincides with International

Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

URPotential Projects to get involved with

BBO Project

Our BBO Age of Opportunity is a new project that will support those over 50 who are currently unemployed or economically inactive and will help to improve their skills & employability. To do this, we intend to address a wide range of often complex barriers that are specific to this age group, including: poor health, lack of confidence, outdated skills, age discrimination & caring responsibilities. You can click here to find out more information or contact krysia@urpotential.co.uk

Volunteering

We have numerous volunteer opportunities ranging from admin to allotment work for you to get involved with. Gain new skills, make friends & build confidence by volunteering! Click here to find out more information or contact manager@urpotential.co.uk

Training

URPotential offer free training to people aged 19+ who are not in education or employment. We offer a wide range of courses, such as first aid, reaching urpotential, interview skills, customer service amongst others. To find out more about our training click here or contact Denise on enquiries@urpotential.co.uk