The Men's Table

The Men's Table is an Australian non-profit community organisation that provides opportunities for men to meet and talk about issues in their personal lives "in a confidential and non-judgemental environment".[1] It is structured around groups of 8-12 men (known as "tables"), who meet once a month for a meal.[2] The tables are largely self-organising,[3][4]: 26  with support from the organisation.[4]: 12 

As of September 2023 there were more than 150 tables, with over 1600 men, across Australia,[5] in all states and territories, with the first Northern Territory table being formed in October 2023.[6] New tables are formed when there is sufficient interest in a local area.[7] The table members range in age from 20 to 93, with most being 45–65.[8]

Most tables meet in private rooms at pubs or restaurants, however in September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed.[9]

The cost of the meals is paid by those attending.[5][7] The organisation itself is a registered charity,[10] and is funded by grants from government and philanthropic groups.[11][12]

As of December 2021, it employed the equivalent of 4.6 full time staff, with plans to expand.[13]: 6–7 

History

The first Men's Table was created in Surry Hills, New South Wales in 2011 by David Pointon and Ben Hughes[14][15] as a forum for discussing personal issues, when Hughes revealed that he was having problems due to work stress and a divorce.[5] They invited 16–18 men to meet once a month over dinner.[14] That original table's membership fluctuated, before stabilising with a core group of 12 men,[14][4]: 11  who have met each month since then.[5]

They created a set of guidelines based on what had worked for their group, including how they resolved disagreements within the group,[14][4]: 11  and in 2019 formed a non-profit organisation to set up other tables with the same principles.[8]

By the end of 2019, there were 15 tables, comprising 148 members,[4]: 8  most in New South Wales, with one table each in Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.[4]: 56  By March 2023 there were 100 tables,[16] and the 150th table was formed in August 2023.[11]

In September 2023 the first alcohol-free table was formed.[9]

Fundamental principles

The Men's Table operates on several fundamental principles. These were originally created by the members of the first table, with the intent of learning from their experiences.[4]: 11  The structure and details have evolved over time, but common elements include:[4]: 26 [17][18][19]

  • Limited table size (12) with static membership
  • Sharing personal feelings and experiences, with table members listening without judging or (unless specifically invited to) offering advice
  • An ongoing commitment to meet in-person regularly[lower-alpha 1]
  • Equality and independence of tables and members

See also

Notes
  1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person meetings were replaced by online video meetings,[20][21]: 39  with The Men's Table buying a Zoom account.[4]: 40  Some tables were initially formed as online groups,[21]: 39  only meeting in person after restrictions had been lifted.[22] Post-pandemic, online introductory meetings are still used, in addition to the conventional in-person meals.[15][23]

References
  1. "The Men's Table". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  2. Dione David (2022-08-05). "Take a seat at Canberra's newest Men's Table to share your thoughts". Riotact. Region Group. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  3. Anja de Rozario (2022-08-11). "Men's Table doesn't just talk about 'footy and sh*t'". Canberra Daily. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  4. David Pointon; Ben Hughes; Lesley Cook (2020), The Men's Table: A Model of Care (PDF), National Mental Health Commission, retrieved 2023-10-08
  5. Donna Portland (2023-09-22). "'The Men's Table' in Kiama". The Bugle. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  6. The Men's Table (2023-10-12). "[untitled post]". Facebook. A new Men's Table has launched in Darwin/Garramilla meaning we now have Tables in every State and Territory across Australia
  7. "The Men's Table". FAQs. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  8. Caitlin Fitzsimmons (2023-06-26). "The men who want friendships like women have". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  9. "Bibra Lake/Walliabup - (ZERO Alcohol) Men's Table Entree - Tuesday 12 September 2023". Humanitix. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  10. "The Men's Table Limited". Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  11. Kim Trengove (2023-08-17). "The Men's Table reaches #150 milestone". Australian Men's Health Forum. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  12. "Funded Projects". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  13. Ben Hughes; David Pointon (2022), Funding Submission to The Treasury (PDF), 1.0, retrieved 2023-10-08
  14. "Men's Tables set to expand in 2020". Australian Men's Health Forum. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  15. "Q&A with David Pointon about The Men's Table and supporting male mental health". Sector news. Life in Mind. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  16. "Celebrating 100 Men's Tables". The Men's Table. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  17. "Kitchen Pantry". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  18. The Men's Table – Fundamentals, T2.0, The Men's Table
  19. Nicole Curtin; David Pointon; Alex Sherman; Lesley Cook (2023), The Men's Table Ripple Effect: Stories of individual and community wellbeing from the voices of women. (PDF), The Men's Table, retrieved 2023-10-08 – via Australian Men's Health Forum
  20. "Zooming Out & Stepping In". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  21. David Pointon; Lesley Cook; Neil Hall; Ben Hughes; Paul O'Callaghan (2021), The Men's Table: From Couch to Community (PDF), National Mental Health Commission, retrieved 2023-10-08
  22. "Men's Table officially launched". Coast Community News. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  23. "Online Entree via Zoom". The Men's Table. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
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