Liverpool’s top businessmen are being encouraged to take part in a unique wellbeing project to inspire vulnerable young men.

Big Love My Brother, the collaboration of creative therapist Clare Campbell and Knowsley Youth Mutual, follows the success of the Big Love Sista program, where 100 leading females, including Councillor Erica Kemp, came together to ‘Stand up for Sistahood’ in March.

The male adapted initiative will start during the Lads & Leaders Weekend on 28-29 November where participants will be asked to paint a life-size self-portrait.

Clare says: “The previous instalment of Big Love Sista motivated women of all ages to find solace in art through the concept of painting inspirational self-portraits.

“As the reaction and outcome was truly amazing, it was then that the notion arose to create a similar opportunity to give men a platform to express themselves, while helping youngsters that look up to them in the process.

“Often there are certain stigmas and gender stereotypes that surround male mental health and wellbeing.

“The press is full of devastating stories of suicide. We have to start tackling this in as many ways as possible. We want to establish an environment that allows young men to feel safe, open up, talk to and be inspired by one another and hopefully realise their potential.

“We will be working with boys aged 10-16 as we believe that early intervention is key.”

The program asks that each leader makes a donation allowing a young boy to take part with all self-portraits from the weekend to be exhibited in 2016.

Chief executives backing the project include Knowsley Youth Mutual, Public Health Knowsley Council, Morecrofts, House of Suarez, ADHD Foundation and Merseyside Community Rehabilitation Company.

Clare adds: “In a bid to build strong relationships between our leaders and young men, we are also encouraging our participants to interact and bond outside of the painting studio in the hope that they will each share their stories and motivate and influence one another.

“During break times, there will be opportunities to network, chill out and even sail on the picturesque lake of Lord Derby Estate.

“We look forward sharing the love once again and hopefully creating a positive intergenerational harmony for Liverpool’s lads and leaders.”

Sandra Richardson CEO of Knowsley Youth Mutual added: “It is essential that issues around young men and wellbeing are tackled by the whole community.

“To help to build understanding between our leaders and young men we will be creating inspiring opportunities to paint, tell stories, network, chill out and even sail on the picturesque lake at our outdoor education centre.

“We look forward sharing the ‘big love’ once again and creating a positive intergenerational new story of hope for Knowsley’s lads and leaders.

“Let’s try to stop the isolation and despair of many of our young men and start creating a new conversation.”

To sign up contact Clare on 07813920489 or email clarecampbell@me.com

For more information visit www.biglovesista.com/big-love-my-brother

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