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What we’re about
Hey!
It may look like there are very few of us here – but most men sign up via www.MensGroups.co.uk. We always keep our breakout rooms small and personal.
MenSpeak Men’s Groups are a safe and confidential space to hang out, be heard, and get real.
We drop the ‘nice guy’, ‘macho man’, or whatever masks that we’ve been wearing so we can show up as our authentic selves, and explore who we really are. We learn from one another's experiences and grow from 'maskuline' into authentic masculine.
Sadly it’s become normal to turn to drink, drugs, sex, porn, money, power, abuse or victimhood as a way of coping. Instead, we acknowledge what we've been through and we accept who and how we've been, as we test-drive who we might want to be, taking the best of our ourselves out, into the world.
Many men live in fear and fantasy, second guessing and surviving life, rather than meeting life with embodied presence, purpose, passion and personal power. As authentic men we are able to adjust our sails to harness the winds of change, navigating life’s challenges, whilst staying true to ourselves.
MenSpeak men's groups are facilitated, not lead, meaning that our spaces are non-hierarchical and non-clinical. We meet the needs of the men present and follow wherever the conversation naturally takes us. There isn’t a right or wrong way of doing things.
Wherever you are on your path of self-discovery, men’s groups can provide a community to support you and help you to find peace, purpose and passion in life.
OUR GROUND RULES
Please check out our Ground Rules before attending a group - alternatively, you can watch them here.
(Feel free to use our Ground Rules, citing ©️ Kenny Mammarella-D’Cruz “The Man Whisperer”)
DISCLAIMER
We are not a therapy group, we are not a group against men or women, we are free and unaffiliated, welcoming to all backgrounds.
All activities are undertaken entirely at your own risk. No responsibility will be taken and no compensation discussed for loss or injury. By taking part, each participant accepts full responsibility for his own safety and wellbeing.
*If in doubt, please seek professional advice before participating.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ancient Woodland Retreat with mini-Vision Quest/MenBabble, fire, feasting & moreShining Cliff Hostel, Alderwasley
Join MenSpeak founder Kenny Mammarella-D'Cruz and wellbeing chef / MenSpeak facilitator Paul Harrild for a weekend away that memories are made of in the heart of the Derwent Valley, in a world heritage site near the Peak District.
Check this MenCamp video out to get a feel of how it might be, though as well as camping, we have exclusive use of a luxury eco hostel with 3 private hot shower rooms, a large communal area for us to hang out in, a fully equipped kitchen (all food provided / all diets catered for), shared rooms - with a couple of single rooms for those who really need and a private space for camping.
We also have a large workshop room, a couple of fire pits and vast ancient woodlands to take your own space, or go on walkabout together. With its own crags, streams, lakes and 600-acres of mature woodland we'll be in the heart of nature with plenty of space to get lost (and find yourself) in!
In true MenSpeak style, we'll hang out, be heard, and get real with ourselves and each other. Kenny will hold a mini vision quest or a babble pen in our workshop room to take us deeper. (If you have a drum, please bring it along).
You choose how to take part and you can decide in the moment whether you need your own space to get grounded in these ancient, protected woodlands, or you're ready for a more dynamic, transformative experience.
"I’ve done several men’s retreats and I must say that the space the space Paul created made me connect to my inner man in an authentic way I’ve never felt before.
Thank you Paul for the wonderful MenSpeak Woodland retreat. The space you created genuinely opened up a door to my authentic self, my authentic man.
I had been on many retreats in the pursuit of my authentic masculinity without truly feeling that I had found what I was looking for. I’m astonished by the way I got connected to that, just by being, in the space that you created. I finally got a taste of my authentic masculinity. I noticed when I got home that there was an obvious shift in how I conducted myself around co-workers and others - more grounded, present, calm, clearer in my communication and less hesitant. It was me relaxing into my authentic masculinity without trying to get there. Me just being me. Thank you so much for creating and holding the retreat space to make that possible. For any man who wants to connect to his authentic self, I can warmly recommend MenSpeak retreats."
Pär Nyman, MD, physician
FOOD
Paul will provide all our meals, using locally sourced ingredients from the Peak District. They will be healthy, nutritious, sometimes cooked over the open fire, always in abundance and full of goodness. Once booked, please let us know your dietary needs. Here's Paul at work at a previous MenCamp.
ACCOMMODATION
Shining Cliff Hostel sleeps 20, bed linen and duvets are provided, so simply bring a towel, waterproofs and a torch.
Each room has panel heaters and custom-built storage units for your belongings, so its warm, clean and cozy.
Toilets are 'normal', though compostable with a state-of-the-art ecosystem. We won't need to rough-it at all!
If you prefer not to share a room, or you like to sleep under the stars near an open fire, then bring your own tent (or ask for one if you need to borrow). There's limited space for camper vans too!
GETTING THERE
We'll have a WhatsApp group for car-sharing, lifts from the station, etc.
- Approx 3-hours drive from London, depending on the time.
- Approx 2-hour train from St. Pancras to Ambergate, via Derby.
- Approx 40-min walk up a steep hill from Ambergate train station, so lifts can be organised via the WhatsApp group nearer the time.
COSTS
£450 for MenSpeak facilitators / closed group men*****
£500 for MenSpeak MightyNetworks members www.mensgroups.co.uk
£550 for non-MenSpeak men (if spaces are available)
£600 for single occupancy (very limited availability)
£350 for men in tents / camper vans.*You have priority booking.
Please book by 1st July, before we release tickets to the wider community.If you'd like to contribute to our Brother Fund and support a man currently strapped for cash, please let Paul know.
Email paulharrild@gmail.com for more info and to apply for your place. (This event is claimable from your business). Paul will send you a payment link.
If you can't make this event but want to come along at the end of August, just let us know and we'll put you on the list.
- The Weekend Men's Group Check-In for Connection and CommunityLink visible for attendees
Do you sometimes lack purpose, passion and sense of belonging?
Would you like to explore who you really are, beyond money, muscles and monkeying around- and trying to fill an emotional hole with egotistical exploits, rather than trying to be whole?
Many men sadly turn to self-abuse such as, drink, drugs and porn and unhealthy relationships as a way of coping. Johann Hari said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; the opposite of addiction is connection. Men's groups provide the social medicine men need."
**Attendee numbers here do not reflect attendance, as we use multiple sites - this is not a ghost town!**
In a nutshell a men’s group is men sitting together in their social community, workplace or online; talking and listening to one another*,* learning from each-other’s experiences.
It’s a place to explore who we are, who we no longer need to be, and how we can lead better, fuller lives. A place where we can grow in authenticity; a place without a pecking order, judgement, blame, or shame, where everybody knows your name.
What The Media Are Saying
"[MenSpeak Groups are… ] Press-ups for the mind and circuit training for the soul.” Tony Parsons from GQ Magazine
"He’s a gentle voice in the ears of the many men who come to him for help with life – he’s The Man Whisperer." Newsweek Magazine about MenSpeak Founder Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz
“[ Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz is the] .. Consultant, Coach and Guru of All Things Men,” Daily Express Magazine
Please check the meeting start-times and arrive 10 minutes before the start time, as meetings cannot be disrupted once started.
Please provide us with feedback after your group, so we can apply for funding to take our groups into less-resourced areas:
http://tinyurl.com/menspeakJoin Us Today!
Please read our Ground Rules and head over to our YouTube channel to explore what we do.
- The Weekend Men's Group Check-In for Connection and CommunityLink visible for attendees
Do you sometimes lack purpose, passion and sense of belonging?
Would you like to explore who you really are, beyond money, muscles and monkeying around- and trying to fill an emotional hole with egotistical exploits, rather than trying to be whole?
Many men sadly turn to self-abuse such as, drink, drugs and porn and unhealthy relationships as a way of coping. Johann Hari said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; the opposite of addiction is connection. Men's groups provide the social medicine men need."
**Attendee numbers here do not reflect attendance, as we use multiple sites - this is not a ghost town!**
In a nutshell a men’s group is men sitting together in their social community, workplace or online; talking and listening to one another*,* learning from each-other’s experiences.
It’s a place to explore who we are, who we no longer need to be, and how we can lead better, fuller lives. A place where we can grow in authenticity; a place without a pecking order, judgement, blame, or shame, where everybody knows your name.
What The Media Are Saying
"[MenSpeak Groups are… ] Press-ups for the mind and circuit training for the soul.” Tony Parsons from GQ Magazine
"He’s a gentle voice in the ears of the many men who come to him for help with life – he’s The Man Whisperer." Newsweek Magazine about MenSpeak Founder Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz
“[ Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz is the] .. Consultant, Coach and Guru of All Things Men,” Daily Express Magazine
Please check the meeting start-times and arrive 10 minutes before the start time, as meetings cannot be disrupted once started.
Please provide us with feedback after your group, so we can apply for funding to take our groups into less-resourced areas:
http://tinyurl.com/menspeakJoin Us Today!
Please read our Ground Rules and head over to our YouTube channel to explore what we do.
- MenCheck-In: Daily Men's Group for Connection and CommunityLink visible for attendees
Do you sometimes lack purpose, passion and sense of belonging?
Would you like to explore who you really are, beyond money, muscles and monkeying around- and trying to fill an emotional hole with egotistical exploits, rather than trying to be whole?
Many men sadly turn to self-abuse such as, drink, drugs and porn and unhealthy relationships as a way of coping. Johann Hari said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; the opposite of addiction is connection. Men's groups provide the social medicine men need."
**Attendee numbers here do not reflect attendance, as we use multiple sites - this is not a ghost town!**
In a nutshell a men’s group is men sitting together in their social community, workplace or online; talking and listening to one another*,* learning from each-other’s experiences.
It’s a place to explore who we are, who we no longer need to be, and how we can lead better, fuller lives. A place where we can grow in authenticity; a place without a pecking order, judgement, blame, or shame, where everybody knows your name.
What The Media Are Saying
"[MenSpeak Groups are… ] Press-ups for the mind and circuit training for the soul.” Tony Parsons from GQ Magazine
"He’s a gentle voice in the ears of the many men who come to him for help with life – he’s The Man Whisperer." Newsweek Magazine about MenSpeak Founder Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz
“[ Kenny Marmmarella-D’Cruz is the] .. Consultant, Coach and Guru of All Things Men,” Daily Express Magazine
Please check the meeting start-times and arrive 10 minutes before the start time, as meetings cannot be disrupted once started.
Please provide us with feedback after your group, so we can apply for funding to take our groups into less-resourced areas:
http://tinyurl.com/menspeakJoin Us Today!
Please read our Ground Rules and head over to our YouTube channel to explore what we do.