Exploring Synergies: Meeting with Martin from Four Greens Community Trust
Exploring Synergies: Meeting with Martin from Four Greens Community Trust
June, 2024
Hello everyone!
Today, I want to share an exciting and productive meeting David Walters and I had with Martin Jared-Davis, a passionate Community Builder at Four Greens Community Trust (FGCT) in Plymouth. As directors of Blokes Who Sing, we were eager to explore how our choir could collaborate with FGCT to support men's mental health and well-being through the power of singing.
Martin is truly dedicated to fostering equality, inclusion, and diversity in our community. His work at FGCT focuses on eradicating poverty, social isolation, and health inequalities. Their mission resonates deeply with ours at Blokes Who Sing, where we aim to support men’s mental health and well-being through our inclusive male voice choir.
As the co-directors of Blokes Who Sing, David and I were thrilled to discuss our choir’s offerings with Martin. Formed at the end of 2020, our choir has grown into a supportive community for men, using music to foster connection and mental well-being. Our repertoire is eclectic, ranging from folksongs to contemporary pieces and musical theatre, and we welcome singers of all abilities. Recently, health professionals have even started recommending our choir as an activity for social prescribing.
Under our guidance, Blokes Who Sing has attracted members from across Plymouth, creating a safe space for men to express themselves and support each other. Our choir has been recognised for its contributions to mental health awareness and community well-being, and we’re proud of the positive impact we’ve made.
Our goal for today’s meeting was to build a network that supports the well-being of men in Plymouth. We wanted to attract men who enjoy singing and explore how FGCT could help us expand our reach.
We met Martin at Coffee #1, a charming coffee shop in the city centre that has a cozy, old bookshop vibe. After a brief introduction, we delved into the story of Blokes Who Sing, its purpose, and its structure. It was clear that we had something valuable to offer the men in Martin’s community, and he agreed.
We talked about the barriers to making our service more visible and how FGCT could help. One of the most exciting parts of our conversation was brainstorming ways to network with other men’s groups Martin is connected with, through meetings, events, and more. Martin even generously offered to serve refreshments at our next benefit concert!
Reflecting on our discussion, I realised how much Blokes Who Sing has achieved. Talking with Martin and David helped clarify our mission and the impact we’ve already had. From fundraising to mental health awareness, our choir provides a safe, inclusive space where men can connect, support each other, and share their experiences. We bridge communities, connect generations, and offer friendship and support to our members.
Today’s meeting with Martin from Four Greens Community Trust was an inspiring step toward enhancing support for men’s mental health in Plymouth. By collaborating with FGCT, we can create a robust network to help more men through the power of singing. I’m excited about the future and invite you to stay tuned for updates on our progress. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please leave a comment below.