In a world where men’s mental health often remains unaddressed, the Airdrie Menspace project offered a beacon of hope during one of Scotland’s most challenging periods.
Launched in 2021 amid the isolation and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, the initiative directly responds to evidence that men suffer disproportionately from social disconnection and deteriorating mental wellbeing.
What began as a targeted intervention during the pandemic has since evolved into a thriving community hub where men from across Airdrie find not just companionship, but opportunities for personal development, educational advancement and renewed purpose.
Essential support
The Airdrie Menspace is part of a wider North Lanarkshire Adult Learning & Resettlement programme, focused on supporting men in their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
It provides a safe and peer-supported environment for men to connect, engage in activities, and build relationships.
The group caters for men of all ages and abilities, and through the activities, decided by the men themselves, they have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, ranging from SCQF levels 2 to 6. These include units in information and computer technology, residential experience, first aid and numeracy.
At quarterly planning sessions, the group decides on weekly activities, which have included a range of educational field-trips, while building personal portfolios based on what they have learned from their visits, working towards an Adult Achievement Award at SCQF level 2.
The power of lifelong learning
For some of the men, attending the group has changed their life. Allan, from Airdrie, joined the group to give his life a bit of focus, while making new friends and developing new skills. However, it has given him a fresh perspective on life as well as providing him with the confidence and opportunity to study for the Personal Development Award (PDA) in Adult Learning in Scotland at SCQF level 6.
Allan said: “The Airdrie Menspace group has transformed my life. Initially, I just needed to get out to meet new people to develop my communication skills. But, over time, I started really wanting to help within our wee community – spending time with people, helping them with annoying stuff like paperwork, and helping to build their self-esteem.
“Having worked in hospitality prior to the pandemic, I am now rethinking my career and working towards the PDA at level 6 which I hope will open new doors for me.
“The North Lanarkshire CLD team works so hard behind the scenes and has helped to ensure that the Menspace group has developed into the support network that we didn’t know we needed!”
John, from Coatbridge, joined the group a year ago and really enjoys the company, confidence-building and banter! For him, the qualifications achieved by participating in the group activities are a bonus, and what he likes most about going along is the “skill sharing and that everyone has a voice”.
Creating lasting change
Colin Ferris, Community Learning and Development (CLD) Worker (Adult Education) for North Lanarkshire Council, has been working with the group for more than two years now and has seen a great, and lasting, change in the men who regularly attend the meetings and outings.
Colin explained: “The Menspace group is an invaluable way for our CLD team to connect with often hard-to-reach men in the community and positively engage them in learning, build their confidence and help them to progress onto positive destinations. They continue to learn new skills and unearth talents that they often weren’t aware that they had.
“It is a really supportive environment where we all work together to plan our learning and programme to reach our targets and goals, and reflect on what has gone well and maybe not so well each term.
“We plan our programme around our areas of interest to ensure relevance and all learn from each other (often in peer learning situations). They are a great bunch, and I feel privileged to work with them each Monday as they make it a fun place to be.”
Get involved
Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to go along to Chapelside Community Centre, Waddell Street, Airdrie, on a Monday from 10am to 1pm. Colin can be contacted at ferrisc@northlan.gov.uk
Find more inspiring stories like this one at https://scqf.org.uk/case-studies/category/adult-learners/
Find a sample of SCQF credit rated learning programmes (up to SCQF level 6) that are taught in the community at https://scqf.org.uk/support/educators/community-learning-groups/