The various men’s organisations in Christchurch have given birth to a new service called the Canterbury Men’s Centre (CMC). The CMC was originally proposed at the 2005 Men’s Issues Summit and since then the guys involved have been diligently working away at creating it and defining its purpose.

The CMC opened in January with significant funding support from the Canterbury Community Trust, Lotteries, and the Christchurch City Council and has since been looking at the existing education, health, and social systems to see what can be done to improve them for men and fathers.

Donald Pettitt, the CMC manager commented that ‘so far I’m amazed at the goodwill inside community groups for men and fathers’ and has found that the various managers and workers are wanting to improve services for men but are confused about how to do it.

Donald has joined the Canterbury District health Board’s Consumer Representative Group and the Council of Social Services representing the men’s sector in both cases. He is also currently nominated for the board of Partnership Health.

Initiatives by the CMC so far include; a series of workshops for health/community workers during Men’s Health Week in June 2008, the formation of a Men in Social/Health/Education Services monthly network group, and a brochure that brings together on one sheet all the services focusing on men in Canterbury.

Other possible projects under development include Men’s Sheds, Men’s Health Initiatives, A National Men’s Well-Being and Health collective, and an extension of services for men and fathers out of Christchurch and into Canterbury.

The CMC is also providing one on one support and referral services for men that are either in crisis or are looking to try something new.
If you are interested in hearing more about the CMC or want to talk to Donald about services for men give him a call at 03 940 9487 or email canmen@inspire.net.nz .