About MENd Together
This exists because it needed to.
Built from lived experience. Not theory. Not distance. The real work of men helping men.
Where this comes from
"We started MENd Together because we needed something like it, and it didn't exist."
Between us, we've spent years working alongside men in homelessness, addiction services, and the criminal justice system — standing with people through some of the hardest chapters of their lives. Alongside that work, we've done our own: facing trauma, addiction, and the long shadow of growing up without the safety every child deserves.
That combination — personal and professional, lived and learned — is what makes MENd Together different.
We know what it's like to carry the weight of being a man in silence. To shut things down, to armour up, to try to hold everything together while quietly falling apart. We also know what it looks like when a man finally puts that down — and how different real healing is from what's usually offered.
In every setting we worked in, we kept seeing the same pattern: men carrying trauma, shame, and unspoken experiences, but never engaging with traditional support. Not because they didn't need it — because it didn't honour who they were. It didn't speak to them as men. We recognised that pattern in ourselves, too. So we built something different, together.
Why this exists
Support that honours who you are as a man.
MENd was born from a simple truth: most men won't ask for help in the way services expect them to. They won't fill in a referral form, sit in a waiting room, or explain their feelings to a stranger with a clipboard. That doesn't mean they don't need support. It means the support needs to meet them where they are, as men.
So we created something different — together. A space grounded in lived experience, not clinical distance. A place built on the ancient understanding that men heal in the company of other men. Where strength isn't about holding it together, it's about being honest enough to let it go.
MENd isn't about fixing anyone. It's about helping men reconnect with themselves. To understand what's going on underneath, to notice their patterns, and to walk a steadier, more grounded path. Everything we do is trauma-informed, person-centred, and built on real brotherhood.
Who this is for
For survivors. And for any man ready to do the work.
Our Men's Circle in Canterbury is open to all men — you don't need a specific reason to come. If you're feeling isolated, stuck, or just tired of pretending everything's fine, this is a space to stand among brothers. To be seen. To be real.
Our Peer Support Group is specifically for men affected by childhood trauma. It exists because support for male survivors in the UK is still limited, and what does exist often doesn't feel safe, relevant, or accessible. We're here to change that.
Whether you're in Canterbury, across Kent, or elsewhere in the UK, this is confidential, judgement-free support, rooted in the understanding that vulnerability is not weakness. It is the foundation of real masculine strength.
Why men trust this space
This wasn't designed in an office. It was forged in real life.
Every session, every conversation, every decision comes from lived experience combined with professional practice. That blend is what creates the trust men actually feel when they step into this space. It's held by a man who has done the work himself.
Confidentiality is sacred here. Everyone who joins agrees to clear boundaries, and we take every step to protect the safety and privacy of this brotherhood.
The approach is simple: no judgement, no pressure, and no need to pretend. Just a space to be real, to be accountable, and to start moving forward in a way that actually lasts.
Community-led and volunteer powered
A community-driven organisation, growing through commitment.
MENd Together was established to fill a gap in support available to men and continues to grow through the commitment of volunteers, supporters and community partners.
Our vision is to build sustainable support pathways for men while remaining rooted in community, connection and mutual support.
Community Powered
Built by a community that believes no man should face it alone.
MENd Together is a volunteer-led Community Interest Company. Our groups, activities and support services are made possible by people who believe that no man should have to face life's challenges alone.
Every donation, referral, partnership and volunteer hour helps us continue growing and reaching more men who need support. About our work
Governance & accountability
Why CIC status matters.
MENd Together is officially registered as MENDTOGETHER CIC, a Community Interest Company. That isn't a badge or a slogan — it's a legal commitment that the work, the surplus and the assets stay in service of the men we support.
MENd Together is officially registered as MENDTOGETHER CIC, a Community Interest Company that legally protects our community purpose.
Community benefit before profit
A CIC is legally bound to put community impact ahead of private gain. Every pound is held for the men we serve, not for shareholders.
A long-term commitment
Becoming a CIC is a deliberate, public commitment to stay here, to keep showing up for men across Kent and beyond, not just while it's convenient.
Transparent governance
Our structure, accounts and purpose are filed publicly with Companies House. Anyone can check who we are and what we're for.
Safe and accountable
An asset-locked, regulated structure means safeguarding, finances and decision-making sit inside a clear framework, not on goodwill alone.
Reinvested into impact
Surplus from suggested donations, partnerships and gifts is reinvested into accessible spaces, outreach and access for the men who need it most.
Coming up next
Find your next way in
Your next opportunity to connect, talk, learn, and be part of the MENd Together community.
Starts
Walk & Talk
A gentle walk together. Fresh air, slow pace, honest conversation.
- Saturday 29 August
- 9:00am
- St Peter's Church, High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5LA
- Open to all men
- Donation-based
More upcoming sessions
Tue 15 Sept
Online Peer Support Group
6:00pm · Online
Tue 22 Sept
Online Peer Support Group
6:00pm · Online
Thu 24 Sept
Monthly Fathers Support Group
6:00pm · Canterbury, Kent
Sat 26 Sept
Walk & Talk
9:00am · St Peter's Church, High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5LA
Tue 29 Sept
Online Peer Support Group
6:00pm · Online
Sat 3 Oct
The Circle
9:00am · The Yurt, The Quiet View
Tue 6 Oct
Online Peer Support Group
6:00pm · Online
FAQ
Questions about MENd
The hardest step is always the first one.
Reach out when you're ready. We'll be here. Brother to brother.
You might also find these helpful
Step into our free Men's Circle in Canterbury
Open to all men. 2nd Monday of every month.
Support for male survivors in the UK
Peer support for men affected by childhood trauma.
Men's mental health support in Canterbury
Everything we offer locally in Kent.
Read our blog
Articles on trauma, emotions, addiction, and finding your way.