Come in. There's strength in support.
A free group for men in Rayleigh, every Tuesday night. Come and sit with blokes who get it.
- When
- Every Tuesday, 8:00 to 9:30pm
- Where
- Equal People Performing Arts29 Brook Road, Rayleigh, EssexOpen in maps
- Cost
- Nothing. Our sessions are always free.
- Booking
- Not required. Just turn up.
- Ask
- 07507 483430Text or WhatsApp is fine.Or send a message
A room where you can get it off your chest.
Mentality is a group of men who meet every Tuesday in Rayleigh to talk about what's weighing on them: the day-to-day stuff, and the bigger stuff.
None of us have it all sorted, and we won't be pretending to. Everyone has something to carry, and you won't be the only one who found it hard to walk in.
You don't need to register. Just turn up once and you're part of us.
Four rules. That's the lot.
What's said here stays here.
Nothing you say in the room leaves it. We take privacy seriously.
Nobody judges.
Whatever you bring in with you, nobody will tell you you're wrong for feeling it.
Nobody has to talk.
Sit and listen for as long as you like. You can talk if you're ready.
Come as you are.
Straight from work, in a bad way, or having a good week. There's no right way to turn up.
Have a look first
A couple of minutes on what a Tuesday actually looks like, so you're not walking in blind.
This one won't load, and that's our end, not yours. It's a room with chairs in a circle, a kettle, and eight or nine blokes talking. Try downloading it, or just turn up on Tuesday.
What's on this week
Check out the latest from our socials
The things you'd rather not ask
- Who can come?
- Any man, 18 or over. You don’t have to live in Rayleigh - just come as you are.
- What actually happens?
- It changes from week to week. Some sessions have a little structure, with a topic or activity to talk around. Other weeks are more relaxed and simply go wherever the conversation takes us. There’s no pressure to speak — it’s just a chance to talk, listen, offload and spend some time with other men.
- What if I don't know anyone?
- Nobody expects you to. Walk in, say hello if you want to, and sit down. That's the hard part done.
- Is it therapy?
- No. It's a peer group: men talking to other men, not a professional talking at you.
- Do I have to come every week?
- No. There's no membership and nothing to sign up to. Come when it helps.
Why it started
“I felt that sharing my worries with other men who might relate could help.”
My name's Josh. Like a lot of men, I've always had that voice in my head: you're not doing good enough, he's better than you. Social media made it worse, but like everyone else I kept scrolling, filling the tiny gaps of boredom in the day.
Four years ago, before my son was born, I came off social media altogether. Someone told me that to get rid of a bad habit you need to replace it with a good one, so I started reading books on mindfulness, something I hadn't done since school.
Two years on, with a daily practice, certain parts of life were still putting me under pressure. Even with a super supportive wife and family, I felt that sharing my worries with other men who might relate could help. That was the start of Mentality.
When I couldn't find a men's support group in Rayleigh, I reached out to my friends. Nathan called me straight away, loved the idea, and offered his mum's dance studio. We planned it out and brought Sean on board. The rest, as they say, is history.
Josh
started it
Nathan
Once a month
Hudson Packham
Men's coach and facilitator
Hudson is a men's coach and facilitator supporting men to better understand themselves, take responsibility for their lives, and lead with greater honesty, presence and direction. His work combines coaching, embodiment and practical self-leadership, helping men build stronger relationships with themselves, their families and the lives they want to create.
Got it. One of us will get back to you. If you'd rather not wait, Tuesday's at 8.
That didn't send. Try again, or ring 07507 483430.
More than a Tuesday
Sometimes you need a bit more help. These are free resources we recommend.
Samaritans
Any time of the day or night, every day of the year. Free, and you don't have to be suicidal to ring.
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men. Phone or webchat, 5pm to midnight.
Mind
Straight answers on what you might be dealing with, what help exists, and how to ask for it.
Worried about someone?
Send him this page. We don't ask for sign ups, or make anybody promise to come. But sharing it lets them know we're here.
mentalitymensclub.co.uk