What makes a good friend? What makes a good listener?

These are some of the questions I have in my head when I am at work. Imagine a role where every day, you have the privilege of listening to men from so many different backgrounds share their stories and give their time.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, we can lose our confidence, we can lose our sense of self, we can lose our place in the world. Everyone’s stories are their own, but losing connection with community is a thread which runs through them.

Could just being listened to help you begin to reconnect with yourself? Could it help you find your way back by having your story heard?

I have a great job: I get to walk alongside men as they work it out; help lead them into the community that MensCraft can offer.

Over the years, I have worked variously for mental health charities and independent living communities. I have been a web designer, a community artist, and worked in the justice system; worked with young people, worked with old people; been an archivist.

What has linked everything all the way through is the importance of stories and the power of them being heard.