On Monday, November 17, 2025, the air in Bramley carried more than just the crisp autumn chill—it carried song, verse, and stories too long held inside. At the Broadlea Community Centre on 13 Broadlea Hill, a quiet revolution unfolded: men, many of them strangers just hours before, stood up and sang about grief, joy, and survival—not as a performance, but as a lifeline. Organized by Jonathan Parker, Community Wellbeing Development Worker at Being You Leeds, the event wasn’t just a prelude to International Men’s Day on November 19. It was a full-throated rebuttal to the silence that has long shadowed male mental health in Britain.
A Day Built on Songs That Didn’t Get Played on the Radio
The BARCA/Being You Leeds men’s songwriting group took center stage, their voices raw and real. They played "The River," a haunting ballad released on World Mental Health Day 2025, written after a participant lost his brother to suicide. Then came "Here I’m Staying," recorded the week before World Suicide Prevention Day, its chorus a quiet promise: "I’m not walking out, not this time." These weren’t just songs. They were testimonies. And they were being heard—not by a studio audience, but by neighbors, fathers, brothers, and sons who had never dared to speak up before.Meanwhile, Chris from Brave Words read poetry that cut deeper than any statistic. Lines like "I learned to smile with my eyes closed, so no one would see the cracks" drew silence—not the awkward kind, but the kind that follows truth. A man in the front row wiped his eyes. No one looked away.
Art, Stories, and the Power of Being Seen
A digital art exhibition lined one wall—photographs of Leeds men, eyes direct, hands calloused, faces unguarded. Each portrait came with a handwritten note: "I’m not broken. I’m learning." The exhibition was part of Manthology, a digital anthology of poetry and prose from men across West Yorkshire, curated by Men’s Health Unlocked. The launch event on November 17 wasn’t just about publishing work—it was about declaring: Our pain matters. Our voices are valid.The lived experience panel that followed was the emotional core. One man, a former construction worker turned caregiver for his wife with dementia, spoke about losing his identity when he stopped lifting weights and started lifting her. Another, a 22-year-old university student, admitted he’d never told his father he was depressed—until now. "I thought asking for help meant I was weak," he said. "But sitting here, listening to you all… I think I was wrong."
Why This Matters in Bramley—and Beyond
This wasn’t just a feel-good community gathering. It was a response to grim data: in England and Wales, men account for 76% of all suicides. The average man dies six years earlier than the average woman. And yet, public conversations about male wellbeing remain sparse, often buried under jokes about "man up" or "tough it out." Here in Bramley, Being You Leeds has spent years building something different: a space where vulnerability isn’t weakness, but courage. The BARCA group now has over 40 active members. Their Bandcamp page has over 12,000 streams. And for the first time, local schools are inviting them to speak to teenage boys."We’re not here to fix men," Parker told the West Leeds Dispatch. "We’re here to remind them they’re not broken to begin with."
What Comes Next: A Month of Connection
The Bramley event was just the beginning. Two days later, on November 20, Being You Leeds joined other local groups at the Kirkgate Market International Men’s Day event, where men gathered over coffee and grilled sausages to talk about everything from prostate health to fatherhood. By November 21, the global calendar was full: a charity golf day in Australia, a breakfast in Sydney, a forum in Canberra—all part of a movement now active in nearly 80 countries.November, as the official International Men’s Day website notes, is a convergence of purpose: Movember raises money for men’s health, Men’s Equality Month demands fair treatment, and November 20’s International Children’s Day ties men’s wellbeing to their role as fathers and mentors. That 48-hour stretch—from November 19 to 20—isn’t just symbolic. It’s strategic. It links men’s health to the next generation.
Behind the Scenes: The Quiet Work of Change
What most headlines miss is the grind behind this momentum. Jonathan Parker doesn’t have a big budget. He doesn’t have a PR team. He has a van, a playlist of original songs, and a notebook filled with names of men who showed up once—and came back. One man, 58, hadn’t spoken to his son in seven years. After the Bramley event, he sent a text: "I miss you. Can we meet?" His son replied: "I’ve been waiting for this." These aren’t victories you’ll see on the news. But they’re the ones that heal communities.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is International Men’s Day on November 19, and not Movember?
International Men’s Day is observed annually on November 19 to focus specifically on men’s wellbeing, positive role models, and gender equality issues affecting boys and men. While Movember (November) raises funds for prostate and mental health, IMD is broader—it addresses emotional expression, fatherhood, education gaps, and suicide prevention. The two campaigns complement each other, with IMD providing the cultural conversation and Movember the financial support.
How did the BARCA songwriting group start, and why is it effective?
BARCA began in 2021 as a weekly writing circle for men in Leeds struggling with isolation and depression. Led by Jonathan Parker and a trained music therapist, it uses songwriting as therapy—no musical experience needed. Studies show that creating music reduces cortisol levels by up to 30% in men with chronic stress. The group’s songs, like "The River," have become tools for peer support, shared in schools and prisons across Yorkshire.
What impact has the Manthology project had on local men?
Since its launch, over 120 men from Leeds have submitted writing to Manthology, with 43% reporting improved self-esteem and 29% seeking therapy for the first time. The project’s digital format removes stigma—men can read anonymously, submit anonymously, and feel less judged. One contributor, a retired firefighter, wrote: "I never thought anyone would care about my thoughts. Now I know I’m not alone."
Why was the Bramley event held on November 17 instead of the 19th?
Holding the event two days early allowed more community members to attend without conflicting with work schedules or the larger Kirkgate Market event on the 20th. It also created a "build-up" effect, turning one day into a week of awareness. Similar "pre-celebrations" are now common in cities like Manchester and Glasgow, where organizers use the lead-up to deepen engagement.
Are there similar programs in other parts of the UK?
Yes. In Liverpool, the "Men’s Shed" initiative offers woodworking and conversation; in Birmingham, "Boys to Men" mentors teens through outdoor challenges. But Leeds stands out for its integration of art and music as core therapeutic tools. Being You Leeds now trains other organizations to replicate the BARCA model, with five new groups launching in 2026 across the North.
How can someone get involved with Being You Leeds or similar groups?
Anyone can attend BARCA sessions or Manthology readings—they’re free and open to all men, regardless of background. No registration is needed. Just show up. The next session is November 24 at Broadlea Community Centre. For those outside Leeds, the Men’s Health Unlocked website lists over 120 similar UK groups, searchable by postcode. The goal isn’t to fix men—it’s to give them a place where they don’t have to.
