A founding member of MensCraft in 2007, Andy Wood has been working with men in Norfolk since 2002.
“Involvement in various men’s groups in the 1990’s led me to drama-therapy training, because I experienced for myself the power of theatre and stories as a means to reflect on and find personal answers to the questions about what it means to be a man today. I discovered it’s OK to feel good about being a man, and come what may, we’re all ‘man enough’. I also think it’s a good thing to question and redefine masculinity in the modern world. I believe we have a duty to face up to the challenges posed by our women who demand to be treated equally, respectfully and kindly.”
Andy is involved in the development and delivery of programmes and events run by MensCraft, such as the Norwich Men’s Shed, Caring Dads, Maketh the Man theatre project, and Journey into Manhood (a young men’s mentoring and rites of passage programme). He is also a fatherhood consultant, having developed and run father engagement activities and staff training for many children’s centres.
“A national Coalition of individuals and organisations focusing on and supporting the development and wellbeing of men and boys is well overdue and I’m delighted to be invited to join it. For me, the work is about men helping themselves: celebrating being male, taking care of ourselves and supporting each other to face the challenges that life presents. We owe it to ourselves, our families and communities to be healthy and make a positive contribution.”