How to run an event

When it comes to ideas for Men’s Health Week events, the sky’s the limit. The Week sees hundreds of events take place across the country.

The theme this year is mental health - specfically getting men to talk.

Diffferent types of events

• Sign-posting - information on how and where men can find information on mental health, we recomment malehealth.
• Health checks - getting men to think about their health more general might help them think about their mental wellbeing and to talk about it
• Social or active events - get men together and involved. Being sociable and being active are good for your mental health! The Royal Boirough of Greenwich is working with the Charlton Athletic Community Trust in Men's Health Week including holding Five-a-side football.

Appeal to a broad section of the population - all ages, ethnic groups and ability levels - to make your event more representative of your local community, more attractive to more people and improve its chances of getting funding.

Event checklist

Here’s our checklist for running a great event. Many of you will be used to running events and may well be able to think of more. But if you want more help there are some links below.

Golden rule: Ensure tasks are clearly allocated to the right people and that they have agreed to carry them out and have realistic deadlines.

• Check if there is anything else happening in your community on the date or at the time you have chosen for your activity.
• Confirm your date.
• Book your venue, even if it is an outdoor activity you may need to organise this with your local council.
• Book a speaker, celebrity or other activities for the day.
• Order relevant resources such as MHF mini-manuals
• Organise “Give Aways”, stands, stalls etc if you are going to have them.
• Sort out catering (if necessary).
• Sort out child minding if you’re providing it.
• Organise your advertising, maybe a flyer to be distributed locally.
• Organise your PR - include information in community newsletters, newspapers, on noticeboards etc. Send a press release. Also use social media - we are on Facebook and Twitter, use the tag #MHW13
• Make sure groups and individuals in your area who might want to come know about the event - contact personally if necessary.
• Check there will be adequate parking and other transport links.
• Check if there is full disabled access for different disabilities.
• Check there are enough toilets and that their location is well signposted.
• Organise your evaluation process including a financial analysis (and carry it out - this will make your next event even better). Tell the MHF.
• Pay your invoices.
• Send thank yous!