Take Action Man offers local men the opportunity to get outside in the town’s wonderful natural spaces, get active, learn new skills and spend time together talking, supporting and helping one another.

Next dates: Spaces limited, contact us to book.

• Friday 5th April -Take Action Man film Premiere 7.30pm : TAKE ACTION MAN FILM PREMIERE with Project Rewild · Eequ

• Monday 8th April: Fire Circle :Helenswood 7-9pm

• Saturday 20th April - Woodland day.

• Monday 13th May: Fire Circle :Helenswood 7-9pm

• Saturday 18th May - Walk, Talk and Play. Hastings 10 -3pm

Take Action Man offers:

Adventure days:

We aim to lead outdoor days throughout the year, where men can take time out to learn new skills, have fun and connect with other men for the day. A chance to look after ourselves and spend some time outside in good company.

Some of the days include:

Woodland Bushcraft and Survival days: Led by local wilderness survival and nature connection instructor Luke Funnell. We will enjoying time in one of the towns many incredible woodland spaces. These day will give men the opportunity to spend time together outside round a campfire learning a range of bush/wood craft skills such as wild fire lighting, wild food foraging and whittling. We will also have plenty of time for sharing food and stories around the fire, reconnecting with our own true wild nature.

Walk, Talk & Play: Led by local therapeutic expedition leader Adam Ransom. Getting outside, walking and talking together, improving both physical and mental health. During these informal and fun days we will walk around and explore some of the towns magnificent outdoor spaces such as the Country Park and Fire Hills, Combe Valley nature reserve, Alexandra Park and Old Roar Gill and many more . As well as walking the day will include group discussions, games and playtime.

Sea Fishing days: Led by local fishing enthusiast and instructor Michael Wachter. Experience Sea Fishing in a relaxed and friendly environment. Sea Fishing is a great way to relax while staying active. Connecting with our coastal landscapes which we're so lucky to have here in Hastings. On this days we will fish from  low tide to hide tide and over, and learn about the equipment, casting technique, watercraft and more.

Sea Swimming: Led by Elliot, a local cold water swimming enthusiast. The skills and knowledge we cover in this cold water workshop can be life-changing, and can act as a powerful foundation to transform your relationships with your physical well-being, your mental well-being, and your relationships with others. more information here.

Deeper Mens work:

Days may also include some more in depth healing work for men. This can take the form of somatic breathwork, nervous system regulation, embodied masculine work, body movement and release, grief work, cold water emersion, chanting, singing and personal sharing. This work is optional but allows us to move deeper into our healing journy together.

Mens group:

In addition to the full adventure days, we offer a monthly evening outdoor men’s group. We will sit around a fire in the woods with a hot drink one evening a month, a time for men to talk, connect, and support one another.

Online support:

All of our in person work takes place outside in nature but we have also set up an online support network for local men. This will offer a space to continue our connections with one another away from the groups. We can share external support networks, answer any questions, offer advice and share photos, information and stories with one another .

Mental Health:

Our groups provide so much more than fun expieriences. They are an amalgamation of multi-skilled based teachings, which can be taken home and used to manage mental-health and wellbeing outside of the group, independently. Our groups provide men the opportunity to work towards self-sufficiency by recognising lowering mood, depression, anxiety and a rising, overworked nervous system. Our work is gentle, fun and informal. It gives people permission to slow down and take time away from their busy lives and overworked heads. Which is invaluable!
All our practical skill activities engage participants in meditative and physical activity simultaneously. These types of processes allow people space away from rumination and unhealthy thought patterns which in turn makes headspace for joy and connection. Meditative activities have always been a part of human existence and they are a source of personal enrichment that give people a sense of accomplishment. When people spend time with others doing things that satisfy them, giving them a sense of joy and achievement this can naturally improve their mental health. The sense of satisfaction and camaraderie helps grow new meaningful connections within their lives.

WORKING WITH NATURE:

All of our work takes place outside in nature. Working seasonally helps keep us firmly in the present and grounded, as we know where we are in space and time.
All around us, we can see and feel the natural world develop, grow and then fall away for something else to take its place. This is a very important part of the process. It shows us things change and move on and that nothing is permanent, including our own state of mind and circumstances. Building new, strong relationships with nature within our community gives a sense of connection and belonging.to something bigger than ourselves.

Training & sustainability

Our aim is to empower and train local volunteers to keep this programme running beyond Project Rewild. We want to create something alongside our fellow local men that can support us all: A space in which we want to spend time, talking, supporting, learning, laughing, playing and growing together. We will offer training days and support for any men who want to be part of offering this project going forward.

 TAKE ACTION MAN FEEDBACK:

“Take Action Man has had a profound impact on me. It has highlighted that we are not alone as Men”.

“Take action man is a great way to help with mental health in a holistic way, providing free activities that are genuinely worth doing like bushcraft or foraging. It’s helped me and I’m certain it’s helping other men”. 

 “it seems obvious that men do better if they get out of their heads regularly, otherwise we give our noisy brains too much credence. I am very glad that you are out there creating a loving group where men can connect and learn cool shit and hang out in a gentler space”.  

“The Men’s Circle is a beautiful space, where I feel held and able to share with other men in an intimate setting and with a sense of safety and vulnerability I don’t get to enjoy in daily life”.

“I’m also deeply grateful for the support I’ve received from Luke. His deep, embodied and practical passion for what he does has been an inspiration to me, and he’s not only encouraged me but actively supported me in sharing my passions, skills and joy with the community”.

“I feel safe sitting around the fire with these men. I don't know them well but it gives me an opportunity to talk about things I would never usually open up about, I can talk honestly and openly and I feel I am heard and supported without judgement"

"WITH OUT ' OVER EGGING THE PUDDING' I'D SAY THIS WAS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT"

"WHAT A FANTASTICALLY RUN EVENT IT WAS AND HOW POSITIVE I FEEL IT HAS BEEN FOR MY OWN MENTAL HEALTH"

"Going forward I can only sincerely hope that more events are organised in the future to build on this great event. It would be such a shame if continuation didn't happen."

"I pretty much loved every aspect of it and would hope that this venture continues for us all to build on the camaraderie and experience."

I hope that the group can continue to grow and have new experiences. I am not the sort of person that makes friends that easily or even tries to so it has been a great and fun experience and really hope we can continue to have more adventures together as a group in 2022."

‘TAKE ACTION MAN’ IS FUNDED BY ‘MAKING IT HAPPEN’ AND ‘MIND’