By Helen Fay
A new men’s group held its first session at Bramley Community Cafe this week.
The Chat and Chew group will run as taster sessions for the next six months.
The group will meet on the last Monday of each month from 1pm (the first was held on 29 September).
Lead group facilitator Jonathan Parker said: “The sessions provide a free meal and the opportunity for men to come together, offer peer to peer mentoring and support a new community asset – the Bramley Community Cafe.”
The Chat and Chew group is part of the Man Made ‘Come Talk To Me’ project.
Jonathan told WLD: “The Come Talk to Me project is a male suicide prevention project that aims to break down barriers of misunderstanding, prejudice, and isolation by creating a safe space where participants can share personal narratives, challenge stereotypes, and build lasting connections.”
The project will also address common challenges like trauma, anxiety, depression, and stigma around seeking help.
Jonny Grimes, a volunteer men’s group facilitator, said: “Jonathan put me into some training to help facilitate men’s groups. I then planned and organised this Chat and Chew group with Jonathan. I feel like it’s gone perfectly well. We had nine members and I’m really looking forward to next month.”
To book a free place for the next Chat and Chew session, planned for 27 October, contact Jonathan by email at info@creativeframe.org.uk.
The Bramley Community Cafe is situated in Bramley Shopping Centre and is open from 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
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