Yarns With Matthew Steans: The Yarns Men turns 3

It’s Good to Yarn

The Yarns Men host a Christchurch-based monthly meetup, usually just for men. For our third birthday, we’re opening the doors to everyone in The Yarns Men community. A chance to hear a good yarn, share some food and catch up with the people who’ve been part of the journey. No pressure. No expectations.

This month’s speaker: Matthew Steans: The Yarns Men turns 3

Three years of good yarns, and what comes next.

To mark our third birthday, we’re hosting an evening with our founder, Matthew Steans, at Hagley Golf Club. Matthew will share the wins and learnings from the last three years, our plans for the next five, and why it’s good to yarn.

This one is open to all in The Yarns Men community, not just men. Our work focuses on working-age men, but everyone benefits from a good yarn, and so many people have helped get us here.

The Yarns Men started life as Hope Upstream, a suicide prevention organisation. Over time, we realised we could do more for suicide prevention by focusing on connection and sparking good yarns. That led us to become a social health organisation for working-age men in Canterbury, helping men feel seen, valued and heard.

Since then, we’ve sparked over 20,000 yarns in Christchurch, delivered over 70 workshops and events, published 50 podcast episodes, launched The Art of a Good Yarn, a clinician-prescribed workshop series, built (and crashed) the Yarns Mobile, and established Hagley Hole-in-One. None of it would have happened without the people who have backed us along the way, and this is a chance to celebrate with them.

A real yarn about connection, purpose and building something that lasts.

What’s in it for you:

• Hear the story of how The Yarns Men grew from Hope Upstream to where it is today

• Learn what has worked, what hasn’t, and what three years of sparking yarns has taught us about men’s connection

• Get a first look at our plans for the next five years

• Put your questions to Matthew in an open Q&A

• Yarn with the people who have been involved with The Yarns Men and helped make it the success it is today

• Celebrate with a sausage sizzle and a few balls at Hagley Hole-in-One

What to expect

• Runs from 5pm to 7.30pm at Hagley Golf Club

• Matthew’s yarn kicks off shortly after 6pm, followed by Q&A

• Sausage sizzle and soft drinks included, with alcoholic drinks available to buy from the bar

• Hagley Hole-in-One will be open if you want to hit a few balls too.

• Tickets by donation to cover the BBQ, with anything left over going back into the charity

• Turn up as you are and head off when you’re ready

Ticket info

Tickets are by donation to cover the BBQ, soft drinks and admin. That and so we know how many sausages to get!

Any funds left over will go back into the work of the charity.

It starts with a story. It ends with a few good yarns.

The Way of The Yarns Men

1. Be a Good Bugger – Back your fellow Yarns Man, listen without judgment, treat everyone with respect.

2. Real Talk, No Bull – Honesty takes guts, and a good yarn goes both ways. Share your yarn and allow others to share theirs.

3. Give a Bit, Get a Bit – Share your wins, your struggles, and your time. You get back what you put in.

4. It Takes Guts to Be Real – Opening up isn’t weak, it’s brave. Dropping the mask makes for real connection.

5. Stay Curious, Keep an Open Mind – Every fella’s got a story. Ask questions, listen in, and share from your own experience. 
   
   

Disclaimer: The Yarns Men aren't therapists. We're men who care. Our role is to create space for genuine conversations and social connections. Think of our yarns as tips and advice from a mate, a place to explore new ways of engaging in conversations and building social connections. We do not provide clinical guidance. If you need help finding support, reach out to Matthew.