MenPower

MenPower (formerly known as Mojo) is for men who are in distress and affected by employment-related issues. The men must be motivated to make changes to their lives. Many men attending MenPower are unemployed for a variety of reasons including: a lack of availability of jobs in their related fields, poor physical and or mental health and providing care to a family member. Some men are employed or self-employed and are experiencing distress.

The training takes place over a 12 week period, Wednesday’s 10-1pm and Thursday’s 10-2pm in Offaly Local Development Company, Millennium House, Main Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Eircode - R35Y7P2). The training is free and lunch is provided. A man’s benefits will not be affected while participating on the course. 

The group training programme combines a unique mix of mental health, adult guidance, physical fitness and social networking methodologies that afford men the opportunity to explore the following: how to be and stay well, barriers to achieving their goals and desires and how to plan for their future. In addition to the group work each man will have two 1:1 sessions with a life planner. The physical element of the programme is conducted by Offaly Sports Partnership.

The intended outcome is that men create a more positive future for themselves and their families. Through the programme, participants are supported to reflect on past experiences and explore current options in order to develop a plan that supports them to have their mental wellbeing intact.

MenPower also deliver 3 x 4 week Mini Taster Programmes per year. The Mini MenPower Programmes are modelled on our 12 week programme. modules include Mental and Physical Fitness, Life Planning, and other topics that the men need support with e.g. managing sleep, problem solving, self-esteem and the likes. The Mini MenPower Programmes are 2 hours in duration for a period of four weeks.

MenPower is overseen by an Interagency Advisory Group comprised of a host of organizations working in County Offaly and is hosted by Offaly Local Development Company. 

Does MenPower, the project formerly known as Mojo, work?

Since 2011, Mojo (now known as MenPower) has gathered evidence through 3 external evaluations.^[1]  These evaluations have demonstrated that:

• Almost all men reported a decrease in or elimination of risk of harm to self or others.
• 83% reduced their level of depression and anxiety.
• Between 86% and 90% retention rates on the programme.
• Between 70% and 76% progression onto training & education.
• 4 out of 5 men reported an increase in self esteem.
• Every training programme is over prescribed. All of the men leave with an individualised plan to support them in the future.

All three evaluations highlight that Mojo (now known as MenPower) is a high quality, evidence based intervention that is improving interagency work practices. The project offers significant value for money for investors. 

^{[1] Mojo Kildare, Mojo South Dublin and Social Return on Investment.}