We Need Your Help.

Our
Story

The Yarns Men believe in strong communities where every man feels connected, valued and heard.

Our mission is to spark good yarns and foster connection for working age men.

Our charity is focusing on providing support through in person events, peer support, caring contacts, social prescribing and pathway navigation.

The Yarns Men Host (Volunteer)

The Yarns Men · Christchurch, Canterbury · Voluntary, part-time

About The Yarns Men
The Yarns Men is a men's social health organisation. Our purpose is to spark good yarns and foster connection for working-age men. We believe real connection starts with a good yarn, in person, and our events are where that happens.

About the role
We're building a group of six The Yarns Men Hosts to co-host our events and help them grow. At the heart of the role, you'll help give men permission to share a good yarn. When one man opens up, others realise they're not the only one who thinks or feels that way, and that's where real connection starts.

This is a formal volunteer role. Hosts apply, meet our Trustees and sign a host agreement. It's a real commitment and a role you can be proud to add to your CV or LinkedIn profile.

What you'll do
- Co-host at least two The Yarns Men events a year, and support other events and initiatives when you can
- Welcome men at the door, especially first-timers and anyone on their own
- Open the night, introduce speakers, facilitate Q&A and guide the peer yarns
- Keep an eye on the room so everyone is included and looked after
- Help promote events by personally inviting men and following up with those who register

Who we're looking for
You've been to The Yarns Men events and believe in what we do. You're comfortable welcoming strangers and speaking to a group, you notice who's on their own, and you turn up when you say you will. Event, hospitality, coaching or team-leading experience helps, but isn't required.

Our values
Community, Compassion, Integrity, Vulnerability and Trust. Men come to our events because they trust it will be a safe, non-judgemental place for a real yarn. As a host, you're the face of that trust on the night.

What you'll get
- Shadowing with an experienced host and support before you run your first event
- Discounted tickets, The Yarns Men merch and other ad hoc perks
- The chance to make the role your own. We run an event every month and we're open to trying new formats and initiatives, so bring your ideas.

How to apply
Apply by end of November and we'll email you the four questions below to answer:

1. Tell us about a time you hosted or ran an event, or made a group of people feel welcome. How did you go about it?
2. You've been to The Yarns Men events. What do you think makes The Yarns Men experience special?
3. What might you do to make the experience even better?
4. What are you committing to as one of The Yarns Men Hosts, and what do you hope to get out of it?

Our Trustees will then meet all applicants together.

It's good to yarn.

If any of these sound like you, please send through your CV & cover letter to yarns@yarnsmen.co.nz, detailing why you'd like to volunteer for The Yarns Men and how you'd like to support us.

Bonus points if you also send a short video explaining the above - personality and the ability to have a good yarn are key attributes for The Yarns Men.

The Yarns Men sparks good yarns and fosters connection, specifically for working age men. Because hosts lead and take part in men’s peer yarns, we consider being a man a genuine occupational qualification for this role under section 27 of the Human Rights Act 1993, and we welcome applications from men of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and walks of life.

Do you love a good Yarn?

Do you share our values of Community, Integrity, Vulnerability, Trust & Compassion? Do you have a passion that you'd like to host as a regular/activity or event in your community? Can you bring personal and/or career experience to support the running of The Yarns Men?