The Pit Stop Blog
This blog aims to offer you a taste of what a Pit Stop is and what it does. A Pit Stop brings men together through informal activities and conversation to build social connection, friendship and a sense of belonging. MensCraft run Pit Stops in locations across the county. If you wish to contact us directly, please click here
Hidden
A short piece about some partnership work Norwich Pit Stop has recently engaged with around the cathartic experience of revealing hitherto hidden things and accepting the appreciation of others…
Silence Within: Reflections
MensCraft member Russell reflects on the shared silence we recently held at Wymondham Abbey
Cabinets of Curiosity – Wonder Rooms!
MensCraft’s Norwich Pit Stop project to create ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’, supported by the expertise of staff from the Norfolk Museums Service.
Homelessness, Health & Hope
A short piece about MensCraft’s Pit Stop members talking as ‘experts by experience’ to current and future health professionals studying at the UEA
Are we all losing our heads?
I was fortunate to experience a sauna last week. While there, a conversation was struck up by a few guys between themselves. They were expressing some populist views. Pandemic conspiracies. Government conspiracies. Strong views. Angry, aggressive, and unhappy views....
Reach for your Positive Pants!
MensCraft’s Norwich Pit Stop Coordinator, reflects on how, sometimes, small things make a huge positive difference. Fellas, it’s always a good idea to have some Positive Pants to hand…
Twists of Fate: A Journey of Learning
This a tribute to Brendan Carroll, who was a key person in my personal growth and in my journey into community-based work
Fire Circles – Explorations Within Nature
MensCraft’s Colin Howey shares some reflections about a recent gathering slowing down within a beautiful natural space and invites men (aged 18+) to join us for more ‘Fire Circles’ on three Saturdays over this summer – it is free, but donations are welcome
MensCraft ‘Walk & Talk’
MensCraft trustee, Tim Arnold, shares some reflections having joined our ‘Walk & Talk’ group, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the members and getting the MensCraft ‘experience’…
Checking-in during the Pit Stop Social
As part of his placement with MensCraft Makani Zulu (UEA Social Work student) hosted some ‘check-ins’ as part of our Norwich Pit Stop Social gatherings. The ‘check-in’ is where all members of the group have the opportunity to say how they are doing whilst being listened to respectfully. Here are some of his reflections having been part of this…
Who’s That? The Man in the Corner
In this post, Norwich Pit Stop member, Stephen, shares a poem he wrote recently that attempts to express his feelings of social anxiety and isolation.
Pit Stop Breckland at Grime’s Graves
By Chris Devine, Pit Stop Breckland Coordinator. Pit Stop Breckland members recently had the opportunity to visit the 5,000-year-old Neolithic flint mines Grime's Graves set in the Norfolk countryside. The late February weather was horrific - wet, windy...
When Men ‘Walk’ Shoulder-to-shoulder – Ian’s Testimony
In this post, Pit Stop member, Ian, shares some reflections about his experience of being part of the MensCraft community…
Manifest East Men’s Camp, 2023
Here is a short piece about the experience of this year’s annual Manifest East men’s camp written by MensCraft staff member, Colin Howey
Digging for Treasure Together in West Norfolk
Dave Friswell, MensCraft’s Pit Stop Coordinator for West Norfolk, describes an excellent day with members digging alongside each other for archaeological treasure