Connor Menswear join the conversation movement

Connor have joined R U OK? as ‘Community Ambassador Partner’ to enable more training and mobilisation of ambassadors around Australia to help encourage more life changing conversations.

As a national suicide prevention charity, R U OK? inspires and empowers everyone to meaningfully connect with those who may be struggling with life by starting a conversation with the simple but powerful question “are you ok?”.

As a menswear brand with a national footprint, Connor is well positioned to increase awareness around suicide prevention in Australia. Suicide has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities, and approximately 75% of deaths by suicide are male.

The partnership is the first of its kind for Connor following a customer survey identifying a cause that was important to them.

Connor’s General Manager Alan Radomsky says of the partnership, “During the past year over 15 million customers have walked through our doors. We employ more than 800 team members. We can get a lot of conversations started.

It’s something we can all do by checking in with one another, asking our customers how they are travelling or just lending an ear wherever we can. With the help of our staff and customers, we want to show each other, and our customers, that R U OK? is a message we believe in.”

From August 2017, Connor stores will stock R U OK? adhesive credit card wallets that can be adhered to mobile phones as a reminder to check in with loved ones. Every cent from the wallet will go to the Community Ambassador Program.

The new partnership will also help Connor staff understand how to get a meaningful conversation started, how to support someone who is having a tough time and assist them if they need professional help. The friendly and supportive Connor team culture is a natural fit that compliments the R U OK? ethos and provides a safe environment for open conversations.

R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher says, “This new partnership will help us respond to growing requests from schools, community groups and workplaces who want to learn more about how to support someone who’s struggling.”

Head to your nearest Connor store for an R U OK? wallet and help further the reach of the Community Ambassador Program.