International Men’s Day 2025: Celebrating the men making a difference at Making Space
Published 2 November 2025
International Men’s Day (IMD) 2025 takes place on 19 November, with this year’s theme shining a light on ‘Inspiring Men and Boys’.
The day recognises the positive role men and boys play in creating a better world, from supporting mental health and wellbeing to championing equality, kindness, and community. It’s about encouraging open conversations around men’s health, celebrating positive male role models, and highlighting the importance of connection and compassion.
At Making Space, we’re again proud to celebrate the incredible men who make a difference every day, in our services, in their communities, and in the lives of the people we support.
Phil Orton, Making Space Deputy CEO, said:
International Men’s Day is a moment to recognise and celebrate the contribution of all our male colleagues and volunteers. The care sector has traditionally been seen as female-led, but the men in our teams demonstrate every day how important diversity and balance are in delivering truly person-centred care. Their empathy, commitment, and different perspectives help ensure that the people we support have choice and representation in those who care for them. We encourage more men to consider a career in social care, where your compassion, values, and skills can make a real, lasting difference.
Meet some of the men making a difference at Making Space:
Gil, Carer Assessor (Cheshire East Carers Hub)
Gil joined Making Space in 2017 and has been making a meaningful impact ever since. Drawing on his own experiences of caring for loved ones, he brings empathy, understanding, and a deep commitment to his role as a Carer Assessor. Every day, he supports unpaid carers across Cheshire, helping them feel valued, seen, and confident in their vital roles.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping others. As someone with lived experience of caring, I know how challenging and isolating it can be. Carers often go unnoticed, but they are the backbone of our communities. My goal is to make sure they feel supported and appreciated for everything they do.
“What I love most about my job is simple, helping carers manage their roles with more ease, offering advice, and exploring options together. It’s about making a difference, one conversation at a time.
“We are an ageing population, and the need for carers is growing every day. There are so many opportunities in social care - from volunteering to full-time roles - and I would encourage more men to explore them. Your presence can make a real difference, especially for those who want to connect with someone who understands their experience.
“To help build those connections, I’ve started running male carer breakfast groups across the county. It gives men a chance to talk openly, share experiences, and support one another, because sometimes, just having that space to talk can make all the difference.”
Stephen, Registered Manager (Palmyra Residential Home, Liverpool)
Stephen has worked in social care for 15 years, bringing empathy, dedication, and strong leadership to his role as Registered Manager at Palmyra Residential Home in Liverpool. Drawing on his experience and passion for helping others, he’s committed to creating a supportive environment where both residents and staff can thrive. Every day, he leads with care and purpose, ensuring people living with mental health conditions receive the highest quality, person-centred support.
“I never planned to end up in social care, but once I started, I realised it was exactly where I was meant to be. I wanted to do something that made a real difference to people’s lives, and this job does that every single day. The best part of my job is definitely the people, both the team and the individuals we support. It’s amazing to see staff develop and take pride in their work and watching the people we support achieve their goals is what it’s all about. No two days are ever the same, which keeps things interesting.”
“To anyone, especially men, considering a role in social care, I’d say go for it. Forget any stereotypes, social care is for anyone who cares about people and wants to make a difference. It’s a rewarding career with plenty of room to grow, and it’s something to be proud of. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. You finish the day knowing you’ve made a positive impact, and that’s something not every job can give you.”
Robbie, Recovery Worker (Inspiring Minds, Preston)
Robbie joined Making Space less than a year ago, but he’s already making a big impact. Drawing on his own personal experiences of caring for family members, he brings empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for helping others to his role as a Recovery Worker. Every day, he supports people to build confidence, develop life skills, and regain independence, one step at a time.
“I was drawn to social care because I wanted to make a real difference. Supporting people as they rebuild their confidence and independence is incredibly rewarding. Every day brings new challenges, but also so many moments of pride. Watching someone’s life transform, even in small ways, is inspiring. You see people start to believe in themselves again, and being part of that journey is a privilege.
"Men are still underrepresented in social care, especially in hands-on support roles. By joining, you can challenge stereotypes and become a positive role model for others, especially boys and young men who might not have seen men in caring positions before. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. It’s about trust, connection, and walking alongside someone on their journey to a better life. If you’re looking for a career that gives you purpose, social care is one of the most rewarding paths you can take.”
Ryan, Team Leader (Stockport Open Door)
Ryan joined Making Space with a deep passion for helping others and a commitment to making a difference. Drawing on his own lived experience with mental health, he brings empathy, authenticity, and strong leadership to his role as Team Leader at Stockport Open Door. Every day, he supports both his team and the people they work with to build confidence, find stability, and take positive steps forward.
“My passion for social care is deeply personal. I have lived experience with mental health and OCD, and while I came into the sector to help others, I realised I was also finding healing myself. Seeing people grow in self-awareness and start helping themselves is incredibly rewarding. Being even a small part of someone’s recovery journey is a privilege.
"What I value most about Making Space is the people. There’s a genuine sense of care and commitment that runs through the organisation. I’m passionate about helping my team grow - not just professionally, but personally. Sometimes that means encouraging someone to lean into what they love and build confidence from there. Watching people thrive in their roles and as individuals is what motivates me every day.”
"If you’re thinking about working in social care, I’d say go for it. It’s one of the most rewarding fields out there, you can make a real difference just by showing up, listening, and supporting someone to live life on their own terms. People need support from all kinds of people, especially men. Having positive male role models in care can make a huge impact. It’s not always easy work, but it’s meaningful. Every day is different, and you learn so much about people, and about yourself. There’s so much room to grow, whether you want to work directly with people, lead a team, or move into mental health or training roles. The opportunities are endless.”
Dave, Regional Head of Operations
Dave has worked in social care for many years, bringing compassion, experience, and strong leadership to his role as Regional Head of Operations. Drawing on both personal and professional experience, he’s dedicated to supporting colleagues and ensuring high-quality, person-centred care across every service. Every day, he leads with integrity and purpose, helping others to grow, thrive, and make a lasting difference.
“I’ve worked in social care since I was 22, and I’ve seen the sector change a lot over the years, but what’s never changed is my passion for making a difference. Every role I’ve had has been about people: supporting them, empowering them, and making sure they get the best care possible. Before I joined social care, I was a joiner. After my accident, I had to rethink what I wanted to do, and that’s when I found this path. It gave me purpose at a time when I needed it most, and I’ve never looked back.”
"What I love most about working at Making Space is that the company’s values align so closely with my own. The people here are genuine, they care deeply, not just about the people we support, but about each other too. There’s a real sense of integrity and purpose in everything we do.
“To anyone, especially men, considering a role in social care, go for it. It’s one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You’ll be challenged, but you’ll also grow, learn, and make a real impact. Men are underrepresented in this sector, and we need more voices, more perspectives, and more role models. There’s so much room to progress and to be part of something that truly matters. Working in health and social care isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. You get to work alongside some of the most good-hearted, dedicated people you’ll ever meet. Every day is a chance to change lives, including your own.”
Find out more about International Men’s Day at the Men’s Day UK website, follow @UKMensDay on X, and InternationalMensDayUK on Facebook.
If you’d like to join our team and make a difference, find out more about working with Making Space here.
Taking care of your mental health
It’s not about ‘manning up’! We’re using IMD to remind everyone how important it is to look after your mental and physical health. While we live in a more progressive time, many still feel that there is an expectation for boys and men to not share their emotions, live up to unrealistic views of what it is to ‘be a man’, and not seek help if they’re feeling unwell.
This can often mean that preventable illnesses can go unchecked for too long.
According to the Samaritans and data from the ONS, suicide rates among middle aged men (45-49) have increased in the last few years, and that the suicide rate for men in England and Wales in 2019 was the highest for over two decades (men 4,303, compared with 1,388 women).
If you are feeling suicidal, concerned about your mental health or you’re concerned about someone, you can access support from a range of mental health helplines, with trained people ready to listen:
- Samaritans: Call 24/7 on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org.
- Mind support line: Call 0300 102 1234, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652, 6pm-midnight every day, if you have suicidal thoughts.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Call 0800 58 58 58, 5pm-midnight everyday if you are affected by suicidal thoughts.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK: For those under 35 struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling. Call 0800 068 4141 24/7, email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
- SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000, 4.30-10pm every day.
- Shout: If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
- Switchboard: If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, call 0300 330 0630, 10am–10pm every day, email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
NHS:
- Call your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- Call NHS 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
- Contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one
- Read NHS advice if you’re having suicidal thoughts
Find out more on accessing mental health support on the Mind website.
Get involved
Men’s Sheds
Men’s Sheds are centres across the UK where men can sign up and learn new skills and pick up old hobbies, such as woodworking, metalworking, repairing and restoring, electronics, model buildings or even car building. Find out more about Men’s Sheds Association.
Have some serious fun
Charities like UKMensDay.org.uk are using today to encourage everyone to have some serious fun, such as:
- By wearing a stick-on moustache for no good reason all day long
- By having an International Men’s Day party
- By doing something daft – with or without a moustache – to raise money for a local charity that supports men and boys
Visit the UKMensDay.org.uk website to see a list of charities.
Movember
Movember is an annual event were men take the challenge of growing moustaches to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. Check out @MovemberUK on X for inspiration or visit the Movember website.