Yarns With Mitch Shaw

It’s Good to Yarn

The Yarns Men host a Christchurch based, men only monthly meetup.

A chance to hear a good yarn, share some food and have a few yarns with other guys. No pressure. No expectations.

This month’s speaker: Mitch Shaw from Upstream.

From the frontline to funding the frontline.

For more than a decade, Mitch worked as a youth worker, and saw firsthand how the right support can change the direction of a young person's life. He also became increasingly frustrated by how much time charities had to spend fundraising just to keep that support available, with the wellbeing needs of young people growing and funding moving in the opposite direction.

That's why he launched Upstream, turning everyday business spending into ongoing funding for charities supporting children and young people.

Mitch will share how people in positions of influence can use the decisions, relationships and resources already within their reach to help change the future for the next generation.

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

What’s in it for you:

• Hear how a decade on the frontline led Mitch to build a new way of funding youth support

• Learn how everyday business spending can turn into ongoing funding for charities

• Hear Mitch's take on using your influence, decisions and relationships to back the next generation

• Have relaxed one on one yarns with other men

• Leave with practical ideas for how you, or your business, could help, without adding another ask to the pile

What to expect

• Runs for around 1.5 hours

• Food & Drink included with the ticket

• The guest's story followed by simple guided yarns in pairs

• You choose how much you want to share

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

Ticket info

Tickets are $30 to cover food and a drink.

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.