This World Menopause Day, The Man Hug welcomes two inspiring guests from Wirral Menopause Community CIC, Kate Barker and Jane Mellon, for an honest, informative and practical conversation about menopause, mental health, and the important role men can play in supporting the women in their lives.

Too often, menopause is misunderstood, leaving women feeling isolated and unsupported. In this special episode, Kate and Jane share their knowledge and lived experience, helping men better understand the realities of perimenopause and menopause, recognise the impact it can have on wellbeing, relationships and mental health, and develop the confidence to offer meaningful support.

We discuss why menopause matters to everyone, not just women, how men can improve their understanding and awareness, provide practical ways to support partners, family members, friends and colleagues. We also discuss the importance of listening, empathy and open conversations, signposting to reliable information, support networks and local services and how we can turn awareness into action and create more supportive communities

Whether you're a husband, partner, son, brother, friend, colleague or simply want to be a better ally, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways that can help make a real difference.

📧 Email: info@wirralmenopause.org.uk

📘 Facebook Support Group: Wirral Menopause Community CIC

#ManHug #WorldMenopauseDay #MenopauseAwareness #MensMentalHealth #SupportStartsWithUnderstanding #WirralMenopauseCommunity #TurnAwarenessIntoAction

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Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper

The Man Hug: World Mental Health Day Special – Real Voices; Real Change

For this special World Mental Health Day episode, The Man Hug explores a simple but powerful idea: real change starts when people are given the opportunity to speak, and when others take the time to truly listen.

We’re joined by Mark Rowley, Director of Capeesh (Liverpool) CIC and a professionally qualified youth worker with many years of experience working alongside young people. Mark talks to us about the importance of creating spaces where young people feel heard, why listening is just as important as encouraging people to talk, and how music can provide another way for young people to express themselves when finding the right words isn’t always easy. We also discover more about Capeesh CIC, a Liverpool-based youth and community project using music, mentoring and creative opportunities to help young people build skills, confidence and self-esteem, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing these opportunities.

And The Man Hug goes international!

Our host Dan travels to Malta, to meet Jacob and his family at Jacob’s Brew, the wonderful little social café built around the idea of “Pay It Forward.” A percentage of the café’s revenue goes to their NGO, Survivors Malta, helping fund projects supporting families experiencing trauma, including Jacob’s Coffee Run and the Reunited Pet Cabin at Mater Dei Hospital.

Two very different stories, connected by one powerful message:

When we give people the space to share their real experiences, and genuinely listen to what they have to say, those voices can create real change.

🎧 Real Voices. Real Change. This is The Man Hug.

Find out more & support

🎵 Capeesh (Liverpool) CIC:
www.capeeshlpl.co.uk

☕ Jacob’s Brew – Pay It Forward:
www.jacobsbrew.cafe

❤️ Survivors Malta:
Survivors Malta

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Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - @The_Man_Hug
We are also on Tik Tok and YouTube - search "The Man Hug Podcast"

Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper

In this special episode of The Man Hug, we open up an honest and important conversation about suicide prevention, exploring what we can all do to recognise distress, challenge stigma and help create communities in which people feel able to talk and seek support.

We’re joined by two fantastic guests: Professor Pooja Saini, Professor of Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention at Liverpool John Moores University, whose research focuses on individual, community and whole-system approaches to suicide prevention, and Joleen Shaw, the Suicide Prevention Project Manager at the Zero Suicide Alliance. Joleen works within the Safe from Suicide Team at Mersey Care with a particular focus on working in partnership with other NHS, local authority, and voluntary community faith and social enterprises (VCSE).

Together, we discuss the importance of talking openly about suicide, recognising when someone may be struggling, and giving people the confidence to start potentially life-saving conversations. We also explore the work of the Zero Suicide Alliance, including its free online suicide awareness training and resources.

It’s a powerful conversation about hope, connection and the difference we can all make.

Find out more:
💛 Zero Suicide Alliance: zerosuicidealliance.com
🎓 Professor Pooja Saini, LJMU: LJMU profile
🧠 Free Zero Suicide Alliance training: Suicide awareness training

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - @The_Man_Hug
We are also on Tik Tok and YouTube - search "The Man Hug Podcast"

Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper