The IPO Men’s Network
kindly extended an invitation to this event
to all men from the IP Inclusive community:
Attendees joined the IPO Men’s Support Café on 11th March at 12 pm for an open and honest session with Ben Buchanan, who shared what living with diabetes is really like beyond the daily blood tests and injections—shining a light on the often‑hidden mental load of constant planning, calculating and decision‑making that can lead to stress, burnout and fear.
This talk aimed to challenge assumptions, raise awareness and open up a conversation about the emotional resilience required to manage a long‑term chronic condition while still living life to the full. A valuable session for the IPO Men’s Network and anyone interested in wellbeing, mindset and supporting those around us.
As usual with the IPO Men’s Support Café sessions, this was an informal, safe space for IPO men to discuss issues and ask questions. Whilst they greatly appreciate the allyship of female colleagues, raising awareness of sessions and supporting male colleagues, these sessions are aimed at men only.
As a Men’s Network, their mission is to “help IPO men be the best men we can be – at work, for our family and friends, and for ourselves!” At the very heart of this is a commitment to encourage men to open up and talk – about problems, concerns, issues, joys, fears (and everything else in between). They are always here for men to talk, and are also very lucky at the IPO that there are multiple other routes for people to seek help and support – the Peer-2-Peer Mental Health Network, Mental Health First Aiders and Staff Counsellors.
This session was hybrid, so attendees could feel free come along and join Ben and members of the Men’s Network in person in Concept House, or join virtually via Teams.
Registration