At Be One Homes, Dan's discovered a career he’s passionate about.
“This role was made for me and I was made for it.”
Dan works as a Community Engagement Project Officer for Manbassadors.
Manbassadors is a Be One Homes men’s mental health project aimed at tackling male suicide and mental health challenges. You can tap here to learn more about our Bolton Manbassadors men’s mental health project.
Dan's story:
Dan started work at Be One Homes nearly four years ago as a Concierge Operator, but faced redundancy two years in. Wanting to understand what else he could do, he shadowed a colleague within one of the UCAN centres.
Whilst looking for a new position within Be One Homes, Dan applied for a UCAN Project Officer role but didn’t get it, he says:
“I thought my time at Be One Homes was done. Then a few days later, I saw a similar role within Manbassadors. When I looked into it I thought to myself this role was made for me, and I was made for it.”
“Improving men’s mental health is a personal passion of mine. I’ve been through things in my life that have impacted my own mental health and well-being, so, I’ve always wanted to give something back. Through this role, I can.”
Dan was successful in his application becoming a Community Engagement Project Officer (Manbassadors) and has been in this role for almost two years.
As part of his role he offers peer support, mainly one-to-one holistic support to men, helping them though issues such as bereavement, isolation and other challenges that can affect men’s mental health.
Dan promotes the Manbassadors service to other men in the Bolton area and explains:
“There is support here, I feel like my wings have been unclipped. It’s the first time in my career I’ve come up with ideas and people have backed me to go and do them.”
Due to this, Dan has been able to come up with the 3R’s peer-to-peer support session – Reflect, realise, and reinvent – which he created through his own lived experiences. Through these sessions he helps men to understand how to take charge of their own mental wellbeing and develop a positive mental health cycle.
One of Dan’s first projects was organising a 10k run with Bolton Wanderers in the Community; 25 people took part raising over £2,000 for Manbassadors. In another initiative he signed up 50 men to Manbassadors in a week – a personal best.
Why Dan works here:
For Dan, working at Be One Homes was a no brainer. With a CIH qualification and experience in housing, he knew he wanted to work in the sector and once he came to Be One Homes, he wanted to stay here.
“The reason I work here is because it has a family feel to it and I’ve never felt so supported in my life.
“This role fills my cup, that’s the best way I can explain it.
“I don’t believe it’s a job; it’s a calling in my eyes; that’s the way I see it – I’m passionate about what I do.”
