H.A.Y. – How Are You? 💙

A place for men to connect, talk and know they’re not alone.

A dedicated men’s support initiative from The Henry Nowak Foundation

Sometimes, the hardest words to say are “I’m not okay.”

At The Henry Nowak Foundation, our purpose is to support families who have experienced the devastating loss of a son or daughter. We understand that grief affects everyone differently and that every member of a family may need support in their own way.

Through personal experience, we have also come to recognise just how difficult it can be for men to talk openly about their emotions, express their grief or reach out for help when they need it most.

That’s why we created H.A.Y – How Are You?

HAY is a dedicated men’s support initiative within The Henry Nowak Foundation, offering a safe, welcoming and understanding space where men can come together, talk openly and feel supported without fear of judgement.

We know that men often feel they need to be the strong ones, holding everything together for those around them, even when they are struggling themselves.

HAY aims to break down those barriers, encouraging honest conversations, meaningful connections and the understanding that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

How are you?

Three little words that can open the door to friendship, understanding and connection.

Inspired by Henry, Built on Friendship

Henry loved the television series Friends, and that love of friendship and togetherness helped inspire the idea behind H.A.Y.

We wanted to create something that reflects Henry’s warmth and kindness, while recognising that men can experience grief in ways that are not always seen or understood.

H.A.Y. is about creating a welcoming space where men can be themselves, surrounded by others who understand something of what they’re going through.

There is no expectation to share your story, no pressure to talk and no right or wrong way to grieve.

Sometimes, just being around people who understand can make a difference.

Part of The Henry Nowak Foundation

H.A.Y. is a dedicated initiative operating under The Henry Nowak Foundation, sharing its values, charitable purpose and commitment to supporting families affected by the death of a son or daughter.

While H.A.Y. focuses specifically on bereaved men, it forms part of our wider vision to ensure that every family member feels seen, heard and supported.

Looking ahead, we hope H.A.Y. will become an important part of Henry’s Barn, our long-term dream of creating a welcoming sanctuary for bereaved families.

H.A.Y. – Coming Soon

As H.A.Y. develops, we hope to introduce a range of opportunities for men to come together. Our initial aim is to establish small, welcoming monthly gatherings in the Thurrock area, with additional activities introduced as the initiative grows. We aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment where bereaved dads, stepdads and other men affected by the loss of a son or daughter can build friendships and support one another through shared experiences and activities. H.A.Y. is currently in the early planning stages, we’re exploring a range of ideas and look forward to sharing more information as our plans develop.

If you’re interested in joining, helping us develop the initiative or simply finding out more, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t have to have the words. You just have to know we’re here.

Because sometimes, asking “How are you?” can make all the difference.

A permanent men’s bereavement initiative