Start a men’s community with these four steps

Men’s communities are growing across Denmark, but there is room for many more, DR reports. Peter Faarbæk, project manager for the Network for Men’s Communities at Forum for Men’s Health, offers four recommendations for starting one.

Such groups often take the form of cooking classes or workshops, giving men a chance to meet and talk while doing something side by side.

1. Decide whom you want to reach

If there is no group nearby that suits you, starting one yourself may be an option. Faarbæk says the first step is to identify whose needs the community should meet. For example, men aged over 65 might want to spend time outdoors together and meet every Tuesday.

“As a man, it is a fantastic experience to join a community with other men,” he says.

2. Find a shared activity

Rather than only sitting in a circle and talking about feelings, groups can bring people together around a shared activity. Working at a lathe or cooking together can help conversation get started more easily, Faarbæk says.

People with an idea can seek advice from organisations such as Ældre Sagen, the Danish National Church or the Danish Cancer Society.

3. Spread the word

Once you have decided who the group is for and what its members will do together, you need to let people know it exists. Faarbæk suggests telling Forum for Men’s Health, which can list the group on netvaerket.dk. The platform lets users find communities by municipality.

4. Give people a gentle nudge

One of the easiest ways to get men to attend is to take them along in person, Faarbæk says. If a friend, grandparent or spouse could benefit from joining a community, he encourages people to give them a gentle push. He also urges women to encourage men at home to take part if they think they could use a community.