Keeping your group going
Groups Last When...
Your group is more likely to last when the load is shared, facilitators support one another, and expectations stay realistic. No one can carry a group alone forever. Looking after yourselves is part of looking after the group.
Practical Tips:
Build a small team – Take breaks – Celebrate wins – Ask for help
If Numbers Are Low – Keep going. Two men count. Three men count.
Most successful groups grow slowly. Consistency matters more than numbers.
Supervision helps if you can access it.
Talk regularly with other facilitators. Don’t carry everything yourself.
Be part of something bigger if it suits!
There’s real strength in linking up with wider networks like ANDYSMANCLUB and Men’s Sheds UK – you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and you don’t have to carry it on your own. Being part of a network means shared learning and shared support, and knowing there are other groups across Wales facing the same challenges.
Promoting Your Group
Promoting a men’s group can be one of the hardest parts, especially at the start. Many people won’t immediately put their hand up for something that sounds like “support” — and that’s okay. Keep the message simple, local and relatable.
Share regularly on Facebook and Instagram, post in local Facebook groups, and put posters where men already spend time, such as cafés, gyms, barbers, workplaces and sports clubs. Don’t be discouraged by slow beginnings.
Trust takes time to build, and word of mouth is often what helps groups grow.
How Is the Group Doing? Measuring Impact (Keep It Simple)
You don’t need complicated forms or formal evaluations to run a good men’s group. If you’re just starting out, don’t let the idea of “measuring impact” slow you down. That said, simple feedback can be useful.
Occasionally ask: Has this group helped you? What’s working well? What could we improve?
Stories and feedback often matter more than numbers. A quiet “this has helped” or someone turning up regularly can tell you a lot. If funding becomes part of your journey later, you can always add more structure. For now, focus on showing up consistently and creating a space that feels safe and useful.
So What Next?
If you’ve read this far, there’s probably a part of you thinking, “Maybe I could do this.” That instinct matters. Change doesn’t start with grand plans — it starts with someone deciding to make space. If you’re waiting to feel fully ready, you might wait forever. Most groups begin with uncertainty, a bit of nerve, and one person willing to take the first step. It needs more rooms where men can sit down and talk.
You don’t need a big budget, a polished brand, or a five-year strategy. You don’t need a perfect plan. What you really need is a space, a kettle, and the willingness to show up.
It doesn’t have to be big or impressive. It just has to be real.
Start where you are – in your town, your village, your workplace, your rugby club, your community hall, or even with a simple walk around the block. It doesn’t have to be big or impressive. It just has to be real. Pick a date, invite a few people, keep it simple and stick with it. Momentum doesn’t come from perfection – it comes from consistency.
All the best with it. Honestly. It won’t be perfect. Some nights will feel brilliant, some will feel flat. That’s normal. Just keep showing up. You’re doing something that matters – more than you probably realise.
