My Journey with Man Up WA - Mentoring, Mental Health & Respect

How It Started

In early 2023, I found myself searching for a way to give back to my community in a meaningful way. That’s when I discovered Man Up WA - a youth-focused not-for-profit organisation dedicated to redefining masculinity and promoting positive mental health among young men.

I began as a volunteer, attending school programs and community events, speaking directly to boys about topics that too often go undiscussed - things like healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and emotional well-being. Within a month or two, I was honoured to receive Volunteer of the Month, a recognition that made me even more determined to give my all to this cause.

Man Up WA: More Than Just a Mental Health Program

For those who haven’t heard of it, Man Up WA works with schools, sporting clubs, and community groups to spark important conversations with young men. The aim? To replace harmful stereotypes of masculinity with a healthier, more balanced perspective, one that allows boys to be vulnerable, to seek help, and to value empathy as much as strength.

We tackled real-world issues:

• Boundaries & Consent – How to respect others and yourself.

• Healthy Coping Mechanisms – Recognising that it’s okay to feel emotions and having tools to manage them.

• Positive Relationships – Building trust, communication, and respect in all aspects of life.

These weren’t dry lectures - they were interactive, open, and honest sessions. And the most rewarding part was seeing that lightbulb moment when a student really got it.

Stepping into Leadership

By the end of 2023, I moved into the Systems Coordinator role. Suddenly, my responsibilities expanded beyond presenting; I was behind the scenes, modernising the way Man Up operated. I transitioned the organisation from a messy collection of Google Sheets, emails, and shared folders to a streamlined Airtable system that kept track of bookings, programs, and team communications.

I managed:

• Google Workspace Admin – creating and managing email accounts, maintaining storage, and ensuring data security.

• Airtable Migration – moving spreadsheets into a dynamic, all-in-one database for programs, volunteers, and resources.

• Systems Training – making sure every team member felt confident in using the new setup.

It wasn’t glamorous work, but it made an enormous difference in how efficiently the organisation could operate.

From Systems to Secretary

In 2024, I was elected Secretary of Man Up WA. This role brought even more responsibility, overseeing organisational governance, ensuring compliance, maintaining records, and representing the group at community events. It also meant I was often the first point of contact for new volunteers, schools, and event organisers.

Being Secretary wasn’t just about admin - it was about holding the organisation’s vision steady and ensuring every decision we made stayed true to our mission.

Beyond the Classroom

Man Up WA wasn’t all meetings and school programs — it was a community. We had volleyball nights, quiz fundraisers, and countless other social events that brought our volunteers together. These moments built friendships that went beyond the work and reminded us why we were doing it in the first place.

Why It Matters

Being part of Man Up WA has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. I’ve seen firsthand how a single conversation can change a young man’s outlook. I’ve learned that leadership is as much about listening as it is about speaking. And I’ve been reminded, again and again, that shaping the next generation starts with showing up, being real, and leading by example.