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] The tables are largely self-organising,[3][4]: 26 with support from the organisation.[4]: 12
As of May 2024[update] there were about 200 tables[5][6] with 2,000 men across Australia,[6] in all states and territories, with the first Northern Territory table having been formed in October 2023.[7] New tables are formed when there is sufficient interest in a local area.[8] The table members range in age from 20 to 93, with most being 45–65.[9]
Most tables meet in private rooms at pubs or restaurants, however in September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed.[10][better source needed]
The cost of the meals is paid by those attending.[11][8] The organisation itself is a registered charity,[12] and is funded by grants from government and philanthropic groups.[13][14]
As of December 2021[update], it employed the equivalent of 4.6 full time staff, with plans to expand.[15]: 6–7
History[edit]
The first table was created in Surry Hills, Sydney in June 2011 by Ben Hughes as a peer to peer group discussing personal issues. Hughes used the phrase "door of vulnerability" after he realised that his vulnerability was usually met with reciprocal openness, this after he revealed that he was having problems due to work stress and a divorce.[11] He invited 16–18 men to meet once a month over dinner.[16] That original table's membership fluctuated, before stabilising with a core group of 12 men,[16][4]: 11 who have met each month since then.[11]
Hughes created a basic set of guidelines that now form the basis of The Fundamentals which are used to help each table facilitate itself. These guidelines included "no fixing" the ability just to listen and how to resolve disagreements within the group.[16][4]: 11 In 2019 David Pointon who sat at the first table joined with Ben Hughes to form a non-profit organisation to set up other tables with the same principles.[9]
By the end of 2019, there were 15 tables, comprising 148 members,[4]: 8 most in New South Wales, with one table each in Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.[4]: 56 By March 2023 there were 100 tables,[17] and the 150th table was formed in August 2023.[13]
In September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed, in Western Australia.[10][better source needed]
Hughes left the organisation in April 2024.[18]
Fundamental principles[edit]
The Men's Table operates on several fundamental principles, the basis these were originally created by Ben Hughes and then expanded by the members of the first table, so that other tables could learn from their experiences.[4]: 11 The structure and details have evolved over time, but common elements include:[4]: 26 [19][20][21]
- 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,[22][23]: 39 with The Men's Table buying a Zoom account.[4]: 40 Some tables were initially formed as online groups,[23]: 39 only meeting in person after restrictions had been lifted.[24] 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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 "The Men's Table". FAQs. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ 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 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 "Men's Tables set to expand in 2020". Australian Men's Health Forum. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Celebrating 100 Men's Tables". The Men's Table. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Ben Hughes (April 2024). "I've got down from the Table". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Kitchen Pantry". The Men's Table. 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
- ^ "Men's Table officially launched". Coast Community News. 2020-08-12. 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.