10/10/2026
What happens when you create a space where men feel they can truly be themselves and connect with each other? đź«‚đź’š
This World Mental Health Day, we’re shining a light on “The Mandem”, a space fostering a community of men that support and celebrate one another, founded in 2018 by artist Francis Augusto.
Supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing is vital and can be life changing. Around three in four su***de deaths registered in England and Wales were male. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community affected by loss.
Loneliness can compound these challenges: one in five men in England reported feeling lonely at least some of the time in 2024, and men are much less likely access and be referred to psychological therapies than women. Stigma, cultural expectations and pressure to appear strong can also make it difficult to speak openly about mental health.
The Mandem doesn’t claim to be the solution and doesn’t try to be. They are a space where men can have conversations about being a man, masculinity and mental health. This in turn fosters vital support, community connection, a sense of belonging and can inspire more thoughts towards therapy, loneliness and masculinity.
At their Link-Up events at Better Space, men from all walks of life come together to watch films, share food, play games and, most importantly, have honest conversations about what it means to be a man today, including masculinity and mental health.
Islington Giving is proud to support The Mandem’s monthly Link-Ups at Better Space London.
We will be publishing about The Mandem including the “Dad’s Walk” initiative soon.
💜 Do have a project idea that could make a real difference to people’s mental health and wellbeing? Have a look at our Make it Happen fund – small grants for big ideas. The next deadline to apply is Monday 12th October 2026. Apply at the link in our bio or stories!
Sources: ONS, Health Survey for England 2024, published 2026.
