The Men's Table
The Men's Table is an Australian non-profit community organisation that provides opportunities for men to meet and talk about issues in their personal lives, and listen to others, "in a confidential and non-judgemental environment".[1] It is structured around groups of 8-12 men (known as "tables"), who meet once a month for a meal.[2][3] The tables are largely self-organising,[4][5]: 26 with support from the organisation.[5]: 12
As of May 2024[update] there were about 200 tables[6][7] with 2,000 men across Australia,[7] in all states and territories,[8] with the first Northern Territory table having been formed in October 2023.[9] New tables are formed when there is sufficient interest in a local area.[3] The table members range in age from 20 to 93, with most being 45–65.[10]
Most tables meet in private rooms at pubs or restaurants, however in September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed.[11][better source needed]
The cost of the meals is paid by those attending.[12][3] The organisation itself is a registered charity,[13] and is funded by grants from government and philanthropic groups.[14][15]
As of December 2021[update], it employed the equivalent of 4.6 full time staff, with plans to expand.[16]: 6–7
History[edit]
The first table was established in Surry Hills, Sydney in 2011 by Ben Hughes and David Pointon[14][17][18] as a peer support group discussing personal issues, after Hughes revealed that he was having problems due to work stress and a divorce,[12][19] and "want[ed] to start a men's group".[17]
They invited 16–18 men to meet once a month over dinner.[17] That original table's membership fluctuated, before stabilising with a core group of 12 men,[17][5]: 11 who have met each month since then.[12]
They created a set of guidelines based on what had worked for their group, including how they resolved disagreements within the group,[17][5]: 11 and in 2019 Hughes and Pointon formed a non-profit organisation to set up other tables with the same principles.[10]
By the end of 2019, there were 15 tables, comprising 148 members,[5]: 8 most in New South Wales, with one table each in Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.[5]: 56 By March 2023 there were 100 tables,[20] and the 150th table was formed in August 2023.[14]
In September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed, in Western Australia.[11][better source needed]
Hughes left the organisation in April 2024.[19]
Fundamental principles[edit]
The Men's Table operates on several fundamental principles. These were originally created by the members of the first table, so that other tables could learn from their experiences.[17][5]: 11 The structure and details have evolved over time, but common elements include:[5]: 11 [21][22]
- Limited table size (12) with static membership
- Sharing personal feelings and experiences, with table members listening without judging or (unless specifically invited to) offering advice
- An ongoing commitment to meet in-person regularly[a]
- Equality and independence of tables and members
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person meetings were replaced by online video meetings,[23][24]: 39 with The Men's Table buying a Zoom account.[5]: 40 Some tables were initially formed as online groups,[24]: 39 only meeting in person after restrictions had been lifted.[18] Post-pandemic, online introductory meetings are still used, in addition to the conventional in-person meals.[25][26]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Men's Table". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Dione David (2022-08-05). "Take a seat at Canberra's newest Men's Table to share your thoughts". Riotact. Region Group. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b c "The Men's Table". FAQs. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ Anja de Rozario (2022-08-11). "Men's Table doesn't just talk about 'footy and sh*t'". Canberra Daily. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i David Pointon; Ben Hughes; Lesley Cook (2020), The Men's Table: A Model of Care (PDF), National Mental Health Commission, retrieved 2023-10-08
- ^ What does the future of Tasmania look like?. ABC News. 2024-03-13. Event occurs at 1:56. Retrieved 2024-03-21 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "The Men's Table launches in Noosa". Noosa Today. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "ACT Government Pre Budget Submission; FY25" (PDF). January 2024. p. 11.
- ^ The Men's Table (2023-10-12). "[untitled post]". Facebook.
A new Men's Table has launched in Darwin/Garramilla meaning we now have Tables in every State and Territory across Australia
- ^ a b Caitlin Fitzsimmons (2023-06-26). "The men who want friendships like women have". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b "Bibra Lake/Walliabup - (ZERO Alcohol) Men's Table Entree - Tuesday 12 September 2023". Humanitix. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b c Donna Portland (2023-09-22). "'The Men's Table' in Kiama". The Bugle. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "The Men's Table Limited". Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b c Kim Trengove (2023-08-17). "The Men's Table reaches #150 milestone". Australian Men's Health Forum. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Funded Projects". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Ben Hughes; David Pointon (2022), Funding Submission to The Treasury (PDF), 1.0, retrieved 2023-10-08
- ^ a b c d e f "Men's Tables set to expand in 2020". Australian Men's Health Forum. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b "Men's Table officially launched". Coast Community News. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b Ben Hughes (April 2024). "I've got down from the Table". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Celebrating 100 Men's Tables". The Men's Table. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ The Men's Table – Fundamentals, T2.0, The Men's Table
- ^ Nicole Curtin; David Pointon; Alex Sherman; Lesley Cook (2023), The Men's Table Ripple Effect: Stories of individual and community wellbeing from the voices of women. (PDF), The Men's Table, retrieved 2023-10-08 – via Australian Men's Health Forum
- ^ "Zooming Out & Stepping In". The Men's Table. September 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b David Pointon; Lesley Cook; Neil Hall; Ben Hughes; Paul O'Callaghan (2021), The Men's Table: From Couch to Community (PDF), National Mental Health Commission, retrieved 2023-10-08
- ^ "Q&A with David Pointon about The Men's Table and supporting male mental health". Sector news. Life in Mind. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Online Entree via Zoom". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.