This year International Men’s Day is held on Saturday 19th November 2022

Many organisations and people hold events and activities in the week before and the week after, especially if it falls on a weekend like this year (generic undated IMD images can be found in the images section). Please do not be constrained by the day of the week.

The UK themes for the Day which are used every year and help maximise participation are:

• Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
• Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
• Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing

There are lots of fantastic opportunities for you to use these and run events and activities, including:

• Highlight some serious issues affecting men and boys and their wellbeing
• Encourage and support men and boys in getting support including signposting and making it more accessible
• Hold events, run campaigns, tweet/post/send messages
• Raise money for charities supporting men and boys
• Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
• Celebrate Britain’s men and boys (great for schools and colleges  – who is your favourite man – dads, brothers etc)
• Have some fun!

Some adapt the themes for mental health events (“improving men’s mental health”), health (“better men’s health” or “better health for men and boys” or “get yourself checked” or “remember to check your self for xyz),  learning events (“learn about male victims of domestic abuse / sexual violence”), father/dad events (“supporting new dads” or “involving fathers in pregnancy”) others run events fundraising for a male charity or cause whilst others hold “your most inspirational man” or “help boys get reading” campaigns.

Across November in the UK in previous years there have been a Parliamentary debate, policy launches, employer days, community events, health days, business events, staff support days (including inviting talks from charities and /or bringing in motivational speakers), debates, student events, political events, lectures, research launches, gigs, charity promotion days,  book launches, mental health discussions, film showings, conferences, competitions, comedy nights, get-togethers, award announcements and charity fundraisers – the most anywhere in the world. There is not “set” type of thing you can do!

People and organisations do not have to stick to holding an event or celebration on 19 November if they want to mark the day.

In 2021, there were over 400 organisations taking part in the UK.

It is also a great opportunity to support, signpost and raise funds for charities that support the wellbeing of men and boys.

To help with ideas many people looked at what others were doing in  previous years (click on the events page and go to ‘previous events’ or look here 2021,  2020, 2019, 2018, 2017,  2016 , in 2015).

YOU CAN HAVE SOME SERIOUS FUN

• Fundraising for a men and boys charity (see suggested list) – why not contact them for ideas/fundraising/leaflets?
• Running quizzes, competitions, speaker events (get a local sports star / hero in), social night down the pub, comedy night, gig, night at the greyhounds etc)

YOU CAN HIGHLIGHT SOME SERIOUS ISSUES AFFECTING MEN AND BOYS AND THEIR WELLBEING

• By organising an International Men’s Day event in your area or at an organisation you are involved in (including work) – getting speakers in (including motivational speakers or speakers from charities), hold conferences, health events, encourage men to seek help (signposting)
• Create videos, posters and/or use social media
• Issue positive messages on the importance of checking for male cancers, support on mental health and how important men are to the success of your organisation
• Signpost men and boys to charities and organisations that can help them – great for employers (intranets, leaflets), sports clubs and public services (health, police, councils etc)
• By using the day to raise awareness of issues facing men and boys (many companies use it to support male employees)
• Launch new research, campaigns and polices on men and boys issues
• There are speaker agencies with motivational speakers specifically for International Men’s Day (Champion Speaker Agency, Diversity and Inclusion Speaker agency  and Great British Speakers.
• By taking action to support an existing organisations, campaigns or projects

YOU CAN CELEBRATE MEN AND BOYS IN ALL THEIR HAIRY DIVERSITY

• By voting “World’s Greatest Man” event in your workplace, club or community – great for school-children (include girls in this!) and many companies ask colleagues to write blogs (very inclusive if you involve female work colleagues!)
• Celebrate the event in schools – TES has produced an International Men’s Day education kit
• You can arrange a Community Appreciation Event
• By sending an International Men’s Day message or card to the important men in your life who you want to acknowledge – a relative, friend, neighbour, colleague or partner
• Just putting a message on Facebook or Twitter!
• By taking steps to forgive a man who you haven’t forgiven for something

See how other organisations in the UK celebrated International Men’s Day in  previous years.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an individual sending a card to man in your life you want to say ‘Thank You’ to, a small group having of men sharing a few beers or a big group of people putting on a great fundraising event, whatever you do this International Men’s Day, make sure you enjoy it. The day is is meant to be fun and serious.

And remember if you are holding an event, please tell us at contact@ukmensday.org.uk so we can list it on our events page 

Please feel free to use the UK IMD logo (available here) for all of your publicity material and contact us for anymore information.

It’s your day to celebrate in the way you want to celebrate it.