Men’s mental health and wellbeing can be a polarising topic in certain spaces and my guest today can bear testament to this – particularly given the circumstances in which she meets the men she works with. I’m joined by Alison D’Vine of SagencyWA – a Perth-based behaviour change programme which supports men who have engaged in family harm.

With a cohort who many may shun, much less look at ways in which these men have come to the place they are it can be difficult to begin open and supportive conversations around a group who many have little sympathy for – but if the answer is to offer scorn, how do we look at addressing the presenting issues as well as the underlying causes in order to affect positive change?

With an unorthodox approach, an engaging personality and a force of will that one cannot help but be inspired by, Alison set up SagencyWA with a view to breaking the mould – her work seeks to engage and understand, become a mechanism for change and take no bullshit in the process. While this has made her a number of enemies, the results speak for themselves and while it may be a difficult path Alison and her team continue to support and encourage.

Speaking with honesty about her work, her own story and with a positivity that inspires and makes you want to sit up and listen – while the subject matter may not sit easily and is incredibly emotive, Alison is looking to make a change in the world when others readily turn their backs.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

http://www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk

https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=1cf4fb050ec346d4

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Check out Alison’s work on the links below:

Perth Men’s Behaviour Change Program – Sagency WA

Instagram

https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/10-transforming-relationships-with-alison-dvine/id1713873681?i=1000654234854