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
Random Acts of Kindness: face-to-face with angels
Here is a very personal piece describing how, via some acts of kindness, one of my dark days lit me up and brought me face-to-face with angels – yes, real angels (albeit, wooden ones)
Men, music, meaning, connection…
New Pit Stop Sound Connections host, Richard Ayers, provides an update for the first session of 2023, which was held at our new venue within The Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich. Listening to music is a way of expressing our thoughts and feelings. It’s also possible to enhance or alter the way we are feeling. Sharing these moments together can connect us, strengthening social bonds and our links to empathy.
Pit Stop Sound Connections: Christmas Songs
Breckland Pit Stop Coordinator, Steve Hunt, summarises the final Pit Stop Sound Connections gathering, sharing members’ track choices around the letter ‘D’ with a Christmas theme…
Pit Stop Sound Connections
Breckland Pit Stop Coordinator, Steve Hunt, gives us a summary of the latest Pit Stop Sound Connections (music appreciation) session in Norwich…
Pit Stop History Visit to Great Yarmouth Minster
A short piece about the recent Pit Stop History Health Walkers to Great Yarmouth Minster…
Visions from Manifest East
In a mainly visual ‘story’ Norwich Pit Stop Coordinator, Colin Howey, shares some visions and thoughts inspired by his recent stay at the Manifest East men’s camp…
MensCraft Short Film
Here is a link to a short film about MensCraft featuring staff and members talking about our work and impact
Meetings with Notable Trees
An exploration of a few of Norwich’s notable trees during one of MensCraft’s Pit Stop History Health Walks…
Pit Stop Kung Fu – Ryan’s Journey
As part of our Pit Stop offer in Norwich, we run a free weekly Wing Chun Kung Fu class for men on Monday evenings. Meet Wing Chun Kung Fu martial arts instructor, Ryan Moyce, as he talks about his approach to Wing Chun, as well as his own transformational martial arts ‘journey’…
A Guilt-free Sweet Treat…
Us chaps aren’t always that careful about the fuel we put in our tank. Here’s one small way we can enjoy a guilt-free sweet treat
Norfolk Peer Support Network: the power of lived experience
A short piece about the power of lived experience and peer support work, including some free local training opportunities
Get your ManMOT at our events during Men’s Health Week
This Men’s Health Week we are encouraging all men to check out their health by having a Man MOT. The ManMOT is a practical manual created by the Men's Health Forum that identifies DIY checks & challenges for men of all ages, encouraging them to monitor their...
‘I Can’t Imagine It Being Any Other Way’
In this post , Norwich Pit Stop Coordinator, Colin Howey, asks his daughter what difference, if any, it made to her being raised by her dad as primary carer whilst her mum went out to work…
Thanks for the Inspiration Fellas!
I may be a member of staff, but inspiration is a two-way street. This is a post about how the achievements of the MensCraft Pit Stop community have inspired me to turn and face a long-held fear
Finding the Plot!
The Common Plot Pit Stop meets on Thursday afternoons, 1-3pm, at the Valpy Avenue allotments in the Mile Cross estate. We invite men to grow together as part of a friendly and supportive group. Here is a piece that ranges from mud pies to African hydration methods.