Building Pathways: Volunteer to See Potential and Be the Connection

The Mission: Beyond the Past Do you believe a man’s past shouldn’t dictate his entire future? Building Pathways, BP for short, is seeking mentors to support men navigating the high-stakes transition from prison back into the Tasmanian community. We don't need "fixers" we need people with a non-judgmental, steady presence who believe in a strengths-based approach to change.

The Role: What’s Involved? As a volunteer mentor, you are the bridge between isolation and integration. Your commitment includes:

• Join & Train: Complete specialised training in active listening and motivational interviewing.

• Connect & Guide: Meet with a participant for 1 hour every 3–4 weeks to help them navigate practical goals like housing, employment, and effective communication.

• Reflect & Grow: Attend regular supervision to support your own wellbeing and track progress.

The Impact: A Safer Tasmania Mentorship isn't just about the individual; it’s about the community. By volunteering, you help drive:

• For the Participant: Increased self-worth, resilience, and healthier relationships.

• For the Community: Reduced violence and lower costs associated with crime.

• For the System: Lower recidivism rates and reduced pressure on the justice system and corrective services.

Our Approach: Coaching for Growth Our experienced team uses proven coaching techniques to help participants realize their own solutions. As one formerly incarcerated individual shared: “Through the coaching I received, I worked out some goals, and now have a job in line with the direction I want to go.”

How to Get Involved? If you are interested in becoming a mentor, referring a participant or just simply want to reach out and support our mission, check out the link below.

We are excited to share an upcoming local event aimed at fostering connection and supporting men’s mental health. Mr Perfect, a community organisation known for being "more than a BBQ," is hosting a relaxed get-together in Hobart.

Details

• When: Sunday, 19 April 2026

• Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

• Where: Waterworks Reserve, BBQ Site 3 (Ridgeway Rd, Ridgeway TAS)

• Cost: Free!

What’s it all about?

This isn’t just about the food. It’s a chance for men in our community to get outdoors, meet new mates, and chat about everything from the footy to the bigger challenges of life. Whether you’re looking to expand your support network or just want a casual Sunday morning in the fresh air, everyone is welcome.

Rainy Day Plan: If the Tassie weather doesn't play ball, the group will move to Bear With Me Cafe (399 Macquarie St, South Hobart).

Why attend?

• Connection: An antidote to isolation and a way to meet new mates.

• Mental Health: A safe space for conversation and listening.

• Community: Many attendees go on to form hobby groups like cycling or coffee meetups.

This is a recurring event (happening again on 17 May and 21 June), so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

For more information about Mr Perfect, check out their Facebook page here.

What is SMS4dads? SMS4dads is a FREE service designed specifically for fathers and dads-to-be. Recognizing that there isn't always a lot of information that speaks directly to men, this program supports dads in their unique role. It increases awareness of a father's influence on a baby’s brain development and helps them connect more deeply with both their baby and their partner.

How it Works: Real Support, When You Need It Signing up is quick and easy, providing the right info at the right stage of your parenting journey:

• Join Up: Dads register online with their baby’s expected or actual birth date to ensure messages relate perfectly to the age and stage of their child.

• Regular Check-ins: Once registered, you’ll receive three text messages a week, starting from as early as 12 weeks into pregnancy until your baby turns one.

• Practical Tips & Advice: Messages include parenting encouragement, health-related developmental info, and ways to support your partner while staying mindful of your own health.

• The MoodTracker: Periodic messages check in on how you are coping. If you flag that things are tough, a health professional will get in touch to offer direct support.

Tailored for Every Journey SMS4dads recognizes that every father's path is different and provides specialized tracks for unique circumstances:

• Cultural Connection: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads receive a special set of culturally appropriate messages and links to relevant support services.

• Extra Support: Specific message sets are available for dads dealing with pregnancy or baby loss, babies in NICU, or partners experiencing perinatal mental distress or anxiety.

The Impact: Confident Dads, Stronger Families Dads who use the service report feeling more validated and confident in their parenting. As one participant shared: "Having a baby was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, but I always felt validated when I read your SMSs."

Our friends at the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) have curated a powerhouse of resources designed to help you become a men's health champion. Whether you want to improve your own wellbeing or support the men and boys in your life, these toolkits provide the facts you need to make a difference.

What’s in the Toolkit?

The AMHF resources cover the "big hitters" of men’s health with practical, easy-to-digest information:

• Mateship & Support: Strategies for helping a mate who is doing it tough.

• Physical Health: Toolkits on Heart Health, Exercise, and the importance of staying active.

• Mental Wellbeing: Dedicated resources for understanding and improving men’s mental health.

• Health Checks & Men’s Facts: A guide to the "Top 7" health checks and “Top 10” facts about men every man should know about.

More Than Just a PDF

These aren't just documents to read, they are designed to be shared. The resources include:

• Interactive Talks: Presentation-ready slides with full speaker notes that anyone can deliver.

• Social Graphics: Ready-to-use images for your social channels to help spread the word.

• Infographics: Popular, printable visuals featuring the "Top 10 Men's Health Facts."

Be a Health Champion

Improving the lives of men in Australia starts with better information. By sharing these facts, you could quite literally save a man’s life.

Email us for a Know Your Man Facts talk for your team!

The Partnership for Male Youth has launched the Young Male Health Knowledge Exchange, a comprehensive, continuously updated database focused exclusively on adolescent and young adult (AYA) male health. Defining AYA males as those between the ages of 10 and 25, this global repository serves as an invaluable tool for clinicians, researchers, parents, and caregivers.

What’s Included? The database is a groundbreaking effort to centralize high-quality resources, including:

• Scientific Research: Peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 to the present.

• Educational Materials: Books and health education resources specifically for clinicians and caregivers.

• Global Insights: A repository of diverse materials reflecting global AYA male health trends and findings.

How to Use and Contribute This resource is designed to be a living library. Whether you are seeking specific data or have new research to contribute, you are encouraged to engage with the Exchange:

• Explore the Database: Access hundreds of curated AYA male health resources online to inform your practice or caregiving.

• Submit Your Research: We welcome new entries to keep the exchange current. Researchers and experts in the field are invited to contact: exchange@partnershipformaleyouth.org to submit an entry.

Support and Development Explore the Young Male Health Knowledge Exchange, developed and maintained by the Partnership for Male Youth, this project was made possible by a grant from Rise Together (a donor-advised fund established by Richard Reeves, founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men).

Find out more about the Young Male Health Knowledge Exchange

The Tasmanian Men’s Health Network (TMHN), a collaboration between Men’s Resources Tasmania and Health Promotion South, continues its mission to connect those working with men and boys across the state.

Whether you are a practitioner, advocate, or community member, join us online to share research, collaborate on policy, and support one another’s work.

Meetings are held online every two months on the second-to-last Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

• 21 April

• 16 June

• 18 August

• 20 October

• 8 December

Please email us to request to be added to the invite list.