The MAN MATTERS initiative, led by GASPED, has made significant progress in supporting vulnerable men and young people in Wakefield District by delivering essential wellbeing workshops. These workshops are part of a proactive multi-agency approach focused on mental health prevention, resilience building, and early intervention. Designed to meet the specific needs of the Wakefield community, the workshops address key mental health challenges by providing practical tools and strategies for everyday situations.
This initiative reflects the vision of Stan, CEO of GASPED, who has continually prioritised the importance of a person-centred approach to early intervention and wellbeing support as part of the MAN MATTERS programme. Stan has highlighted that this approach is about creating long-lasting change by empowering individuals to take control of their mental health through education, collaboration, and practical strategies.
“Our vision with the MAN MATTERS initiative is to equip individuals with the tools they need to manage stress, mental health issues, and their overall wellbeing. It’s about helping people move forward, one step at a time, with understanding and agency.” – Stan, CEO, GASPED.
Supporting Vulnerable Men in Wakefield District
Alongside the successful work with Wakefield and Castleford students, MAN MATTERS continues to support vulnerable men across Wakefield District by addressing mental health issues, loneliness, and wellbeing barriers. Mental health concerns affect individuals from all walks of life, and through its interventions, GASPED seeks to create spaces for vulnerable men to find understanding, practical strategies, and connection. These sessions focus on:
- Managing triggers and emotional setbacks
- Building mental resilience through fitness, exercise, and better breathing
- Strategies for coping with fatigue, anxiety, and depression
- Communication, support access, and collaborative problem-solving
- Challenging prejudice, misogyny and the lack of ‘feeling part of the community’
These sessions are a cornerstone of Stan Foster’s vision, focusing on making mental health support accessible, preventative, and tailored to the needs of local individuals.
Workshops with Wakefield College & Castleford College
Heart of Yorkshire Colleges so the value in the programme, and workshops took place at Wakefield College and Castleford College, reaching students from diverse backgrounds. These sessions focused on building mental resilience and addressing emotional barriers to support students’ mental health and life choices.
The initial discovery work with Janine (Head of Pastoral Care) and Paula (Head of Alternative Provision) was key to tailoring these workshops, ensuring they met the specific needs of the students. Niraj, former CFO at GASPED, reflected on the success of these partnerships:
“The discovery and partnership work with Janine and Paula have been instrumental in shaping the MAN MATTERS workshops. They provided insights into the mental health challenges their students face, allowing us to design practical, evidence-based sessions that make a real difference.”
These sessions covered a range of key topics and strategies for students to improve mental health, such as:
- Anxiety Management
- Healthy Eating & its Link to Mood
- Understanding Triggers & Managing Relapse Symptoms
- Depression Coping Strategies
- Stress Reduction Techniques – Breathing, Relaxation & Physical Fitness
- Communication & Building Positive Habits
- Planning & Goal Setting for Mental Health Stability
The sessions allowed students to engage in practical problem-solving, ask questions, and access evidence-based strategies to manage the emotional challenges that they face daily.
Collaboration and Multi-Agency Support
This project exemplifies the power of multi-agency collaboration. The workshops and support interventions bring together local leaders, organisations, and education providers to address shared priorities in mental health and wellbeing. GASPED has strengthened partnerships with key organisations in Wakefield, such as Heart of Yorkshire Colleges, Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Services, and others, ensuring a joined-up response to mental health challenges.
Niraj noted the importance of these partnerships:
“Collaboration is at the heart of the MAN MATTERS vision. By working together with local organisations, educational leaders, and community partners, we can ensure we’re reaching the people who need our support the most.”
The Future of MAN MATTERS
Looking forward, the MAN MATTERS initiative will continue to expand its reach across Wakefield District by developing additional mental health services, preventative education, and tailored workshops. These initiatives are not just about short-term interventions but creating lasting systemic change by fostering mental resilience, promoting wellbeing, and reducing barriers to access for mental health services.
Stan’s vision for this project remains steadfast: to build resilience, agency, and better futures through wellbeing support.
For anyone impacted by mental health challenges or seeking more information, GASPED offers support and guidance through their multi-agency wellbeing pathways.
For more information about the MAN MATTERS initiative, visit www.manmatters.org.
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