Although I now spend most of my time as an artist/writer based in Stratford upon Avon, I have had a varied working career.
From a very short time in the Army when I left school, to Dry Cleaning, lorry driving (delivering beer etc), I eventually found myself training for the Priesthood in the Church of England.
I was eventually ordained in the 90’s, working in the Community and based in St Peter’s, Hillfields, as a Worker Priest (see below) in Coventry.
‘A worker-priest was any priest who was “freed from parochial work by his bishop, lived only by full-time labor in a factory or other place of work, and was indistinguishable in appearance from an ordinary workingman.
At the same time, I also became a Mental Health Advocate for MIND taking on a Counselling/information role.
Although I am no longer what many people might call ‘religious’ (I prefer ‘spiritual’), and with other offshoots to my life too many to mention, over the years I have always been aware that men and masculinity is often a neglected area. What we have is a significant segment of society facing high expectations but receiving, I believe inadequate support.
Many men, I believe are in fact, ‘lost’ and confused. Especially in areas that include their own personal search to find out what it actually means to be a man today. ‘What is expected of them and how on earth can they fulfil these (sometimes imagined?) and supposedly, masculine roles’.
To that end I have has decided to offer my varied experience as a counsellor and advocate and support men as best I can.
If you are interested and think I might be able to assist you to move forward and would like more information, please…
Email me… ianfharris@outlook.com
Or ring 07830021001 for more details.
