7 young men on friendship, love and positive role models

Manchester-based organisation Mandem Meetup is working hard to create a safe space where people who identify as male can come together for support and conversation. The community non-profit is the subject of Mandem, a documentary presented by woo from filmmaker Nathan Baxter that delves into all that the charity does. In celebration of this, we took a leaf from the book of the community and asked some London-based men to share their feelings, ask who their role models are and find out what makes them smile.

No more outdated “boys don’t cry” tropes or toxic locker room rumours. In this brave new world, men tell each other when they’re struggling. They celebrate when their friends win and remember to show themselves love – however that might look. Instead of a culture of isolation, these men aspire to have (and be) role models who push them to be kinder and more open with each other.

For the Mandem.

‘For The Mandem’ is woo’s campaign with grassroots mental health charity Mandem Meetup. The series hopes to challenge what a healthy male-centric community looks like, explore the full campaign here.