BRAWD

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

We are Brawd.
A compassionate group of people with one common interest.
To help and support men’s wellbeing through positive engagement.

WHY BRAWD?

Because being listened to and listening to others can help you feel supported, empowered and less alone.
By joining Brawd, you’re joining an in-person community ready to support you through every turn.

PLEASE SUPPORT TY CANNA AND BRAWD

Brawd exists because Ty Canna exists.

Every week, people walk through its doors feeling isolated, overwhelmed and, sometimes, in crisis. Every week, they leave knowing they are not alone.

Ty Canna is also home to our sister group, Chwaer, providing the same safe, welcoming environment for women who need support. Together, these groups are changing lives every single week.

The proposed redevelopment will provide Ty Canna with a purpose built home, ensuring these life changing mental health services can continue for years to come. This isn’t just about a building, it’s about protecting a place that saves lives.

We need your help.

If Brawd or Chwaer has ever supported you, someone you know, or if you simply believe mental health services deserve our backing, please take a few minutes to leave a positive comment in support of this development.

The planning application is HERE. Your voice could make all the difference.

We often say you’re only a few life changing events away from needing support yourself. Let’s make sure it’s there when people need it most.

Please support Ty Canna. Please support Brawd. Please support Chwaer. Together, we can help protect a place where hope begins.

Please find our Facebook page, like, share and comment and help us show just how much Ty Canna means to our community.

Thank you,
Neil (Brawd Founder) and the Brawd Facilitators

WHAT WE OFFER

Walk-in Sessions

Come see what we’re all about. No matter your background, beliefs, or identity, you’ll find a space that’s open, respectful, and genuinely welcoming. You won’t regret it.

We meet in Cardiff every week (including holidays) unless shown otherwise.

‍
When: Every Monday 6pm – 7:30pm
Where: Ty Canna Outreach Centre, 40 Market Road, Cardiff, CF5 1RZ
Press the buzzer and someone will let you in and show you to the room.

How To Find Us

‍When: Every Thursday 6pm – 7:30pm
Where: Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL
Please arrive by 5:50pm to meet your session lead at the red chairs opposite Radio Platfform. The group will be guided to the meeting space together.

How To Find Us

Day Time Meets

We are excited to offer our very first weekly day time meet!

When: Every Wednesday 11am – 1pm
Where: Llandaff Rugby Club (1876 Lounge), The Old Mill, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2AZ

A relaxed space where the group can gather to chat, play board games, darts or whatever with like minded people. There will be a pool table, skittle alley and a Nintendo Wii.

Come along for hot drinks and snacks, and an amazing non-judgemental environment.

There is no cost, and the hot drinks are free.

Activities

Walk ‘n’ Talk
When: Every Tuesday 7pm – 8pm
Where: Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens,
Cardiff, CF11 9SW

We meet at the two wooden seats facing the road near the green fire assembly point sign. If bad weather is forecast please contact us on the day (before 6pm) to check if it is still going ahead.

Brawd Music Group
When: Every Saturday 1pm – 4pm
Where: Ty Canna Outreach Centre, 40 Market Road, Cardiff, CF5 1RZ

Weekends Varied activities including Walking Football, Indoor Climbing, working on our allotment, and many more.

Brawd Allotment Project

When: Every Sunday 1pm – 3pm
Where: Ely Great Farm Allotments, Ely, Cardiff, CF5 5AQ

Meet by the allotment gates from 12:50pm to 1:05pm. If you are likely to be late please contact us on the day (before 12:30pm) so we can arrange to meet you.

A great opportunity to get your hands dirty doing something constructive and maybe learn new skills, while enjoying good company and meaningful conversations.

No pressure, no judgement, no expectations. Just good people, fresh air and real conversations.

Chwaer Ladies Group

A compassionate group with a common interest. To help and support the wellbeing of ladies 18+

City: CARDIFF
‍
When: Every Wednesday 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: Ty Canna Outreach Centre, 40 Market Road, Cardiff, CF5 1RZ
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T: 07746 24449

Access to Counselling

We know how important it is to talk to someone, many of us have been there ourselves.

At BRAWD, we can refer men to trusted, experienced counsellors as part of the support we offer. However, these counselling spaces are limited and are reserved for men who regularly attend our sessions.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer counselling referrals for external enquiries at this time. If you’re struggling, we’d encourage you to join one of our sessions, you’re always welcome.

You don’t have to go through things alone. We’re here when you’re ready.

I was at a low point when I came across Brawd. The first meeting I didn’t say a word, just sat there and listened to everyone tell their stories, wanting to join in but not feeling like I could. It took me a few meetings before I spoke up in front of the group, but with every session that passed, the supportive atmosphere made me more and more comfortable.

Since then, I have opened up about my struggles, sometimes to the group, but mainly when having conversations with other members of the group. Everyone has been supportive, understanding, and just generally great. I have also done things with the group that I didn’t think I would be able to due to my anxiety.

This is just the start of my journey, but I am so happy I found a great group of guys to go through it with and hope I can continue to improve with the support of the group.

A life-changing programme. Run by great mentors who truly understand the challenges presented by a dip in mental health. I kept myself to myself at first in the sessions, but that was OK. Just being there and hearing other stories seemed to help. It has renewed my confidence so that I feel comfortable again in my own skin.

Thank you Brawd for all your support. I couldn’t have got here without you.

End of autumn I made the decision to commit to feeling better, so I took the leap and decided to join one of the walk-in sessions. It is the best decision I’ve made in a while.

There’s still a way to go but I’m now more in tune with what I’m going through and feel supported by others who are experiencing similar. I have a plan in place and am taking active steps to get back on track. More importantly, I have a support group to lean on.

I moved to Cardiff in late 2019 and as you might expect neither me or my partner managed to get a social life going before the world stopped in 2020. For me the pandemic became a magnifying force pushing my mental health further and further down through loneliness and halting any hope of getting treatment for a chronic health condition. Almost three years after we moved to Cardiff I hadn’t managed to change any of this. Partly due to anxiety and partly because I couldn’t influence things.

That was until my partner sent me a flyer for this group called Brawd and, for whatever reason, I finally decided to chance it. I honestly didn’t know what to expect that first time I went to a session but after I came home I knew I’d been given a great opportunity. I haven’t looked back since. I’m not alone because I’ve found a great group of guys to help me through the tough times, and I’ll do my best to help them through theirs.

I’d been to similar groups like this in the past but what stood out on my first session was the professionalism, positivity and commitment to helping our fellow brothers tackle their mental health challenges that sets Brawd apart.

With Brawd you are truly not alone.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is simple: to create a men’s mental health community in every borough in Wales.

We believe that by building communities, united around a shared goal, we can turn the tide for men’s mental health nationwide.

Join BRAWD and start
to feel yourself again

DON’T LEAVE IT ANY LONGER

If you feel you need to make a change then get in touch today. We can’t wait to support you.