Hi, my name is Steve and I'm the Walk Leader for Huddersfield. I was inspired to get involved in Men Walking and Talking after seeing some posts on Facebook about the walk in Sandbach (where I grew up). I was immediately taken by the whole concept, and it felt like something I wanted to be a part of. I reached out to enquire about setting up a new walk in Huddersfield, and here we are… Men generally struggle to talk about their mental health, and I am no exception. During my more difficult times, I never felt able to talk about my mental health with anyone, even close friends and family. I never opened up, never sought any professional help, and totally feel the stigma that surrounds it all. I am the epitome of why Men Walking and Talking exists. Well, you know what? It's okay to not be okay. Even if you're a bloke. I still don’t feel comfortable or able to talk openly about my own experiences yet, but I hope to get to a place where I can. I know this group will help me get there, and I know I can help others to do the same. I'm proud to lead the Huddersfield walk and provide a safe space where men have the opportunity to open up and talk about their experiences and emotions with other like-minds. We can talk, we can listen, or we can just be good company for each other. So, come along for a walk, make some new friends, and share your story. Same time, same place, every week.
Hi, my name is Craig and I am proud to be the Walk Leader for the Aberdare group. I am a 50-year-old Yorkshire lad who now calls Abernant in the Welsh Valleys home. Professional Background I have built a career as a manager with Tesco, having worked for the company for nearly two decades. At present, I continue to serve in my local store, a role I am passionate about and thoroughly enjoy. Personal Life In my personal life, I share wonderful companionship with Ralph, our much-loved dog. Ralph is my loyal walking partner, whether we are exploring the beach or wandering through the beautiful local surroundings. My Mental Health Journey I have faced challenges with my mental health for over 30 years and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis adds to a long history of mental health experiences, including chronic anxiety and depression. Over the years, I have taken significant steps towards improving my well-being and can honestly say that I am now in the best mental space I have ever been throughout my struggles. Further along my journey, I was also diagnosed with OCD. I am currently being assessed for both dyslexia and dysphoria, as I believe these diagnoses could provide further clarity and understanding of myself. Coming to terms with my mental health took a considerable amount of time. Now, I accept and acknowledge that it is a part of who I am. Rather than fighting against it, I have learned to embrace it and live with it every day. Facing Life’s Lowest Points There was a time when I reached my lowest ebb, feeling on the edge and contemplating ending it all. During this period, I spent thousands of pounds living a fictitious lifestyle and turned to alcohol and energy drinks as a means of coping. The pivotal moment for me was when bailiffs arrived at my family’s door to recover a debt I had accumulated. This is where my little sister stepped in and became a guardian angel and never once asked for anything in return, my family also embraced me, faults and all, supported me in seeking help, and began a long journey of recovery. The unwavering love and support of my wife over the past seven years have been central to this process. Today, I am proactive about my mental health and strive to make the most of every day. Why Start a Walking Group? My involvement with various men’s groups in the past offered valuable insight and satisfaction, especially in encouraging men to talk openly. However, something always felt missing for me. While the typical classroom, sit-down environment works well for some, I found that it was not quite right for my needs. Reflecting on my own experiences, I realized that being outdoors and walking was one of the greatest influences on my mental health. Although I often walked alone—since there were few options available for men at the time—it provided essential head-space and helped me process everyday life’s challenges. I know I cannot save the world, but if I can encourage even one man to walk and talk with me, to open up and take positive steps towards change, then that is the greatest reward I could hope for. Building a Supportive Community Having walked in the shoes of a sufferer, I believe there is no better way to give back than by supporting others. This is why I am so passionate and excited to embark on this new adventure. My aim is to create a foundation for men where, each week, we can walk, talk, and build solid foundations for better mental health. Alongside this, we will have opportunities to form friendships, organised nights out, and work towards realizing this vision together. I do not claim to have all the answers, nor can I change the world, but I can relate, share, and support others along the way. As the saying goes: Together, stronger
Hi, I’m Nav, and I am the Walk Leader for Bradford’s Men Walking and Talking Group. I started the Bradford group because I believe every man deserves a safe space to take a breather, share what’s on his mind, and know he’s not alone. Mental Health can be tough to talk about, but walking side by side makes those conversations a little easier. I’m not here as a counsellor or therapist, I’m here as a fellow man who knows the importance of connection, fresh air, and honest conversation. My role is to guide our walks, make sure everyone feels welcome, and keep the group supportive and respectful. This group is for men of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re struggling, looking to connect, or just want to get out for a walk with good company, you’ll be met with understanding and encouragement. Together we walk, we talk, and we remind each other that it’s okay to open up because taking care of our mental health is a strength, not a weakness.
My name is James and I am a forty something Dad of two who is born and bred in Cambridgeshire. I have struggled with my mental health since I was 15, when my only sibling passed away from cervical cancer. I found it so difficult to process and it was several years before I started to come to terms with my loss. It wasn't until I had a mental breakdown at work in 2006, that I sought out counselling. In early 2011 I had a further mental breakdown after a long term relationship broke up. By the summer of 2011, I started a new job working in social care, this is where my life started to change. By the end of 2011, I met my now Wife and my mental health improved and I started to enjoy life again. My work is so rewarding and is an amazing therapy for me mentally, but is also physically and mentally demanding supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities. I first began walking during lockdown, as work became unbearable at times, due to the extra demands, supporting vulnerable adults through their own worries and concerns, as well as my own concerns, worries and restrictions, it was a mental rollercoaster. I found walking such a release, like a valve being released in my head and all my worries drifted away during my walks. During the second lockdown I took training to become one of the mental health champions within the workplace. Over the past four years I have organised walks for people I support, charities that our close to my heart such as the Down's Syndrome Association with other carers and SEN parents such as my myself. I was inspired by the short film on the One Show by Men Walking and Talking. After discovering that there weren't any groups nearby, I felt inspired to contact Men Walking and Talking about leading a local group in my area of Ely Cambridgeshire. I enjoy meeting new people, chatting about anything or nothing in particular and I love to walk. The walk is called Ely Cathedral, Cherry Hill Loop and cover 3.1 miles, takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. https://www.komoot.com/tour/2532994763?ref=aso&share_token=aEFGpL0MoSwefyQKWJeHY8y2YL9MIIjdupucOJ1pPIda6h2PtB&fbclid=IwY2xjawMi2i9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBKdzNrREtxSVc5dmxNWVNrAR4pbn4p9kvZaK5ZN633u9pCJK4_0jtx7dnh9Ar1wg2-pD71DdV31L3W9IAnjA_aem_PjkbCjczkT1CL361ci2Inw It starts and finishes at ERly Barton Road Car Park, which is free.
Hi, I'm Jack, 31, a veteran and former prison officer who is originally from Peterborough. I moved to Wiltshire during my time in the Army, where I met my wife. Since then, we’ve built our life together and have lived in Wiltshire and Dorset ever since. I’m a proud dad to three amazing children, all of whom have hearing loss, and being there for them is the most important part of my life. Men’s mental health is important to me. I’ve seen first-hand how mental health can affect individuals and families, and I believe it’s something we need to talk about more. I understand the importance of getting outside, going for a walk, and spending time in the outdoors to clear your head and stay balanced. I enjoy football, training in the gym, and staying active as part of a healthy and positive lifestyle. I welcome you along and look forward to meeting you & sharing our stories.
Hi I’m Steve the walk leader of the Nantwich MWAT group. I took up the opportunity to become walk leader when Gary May (former leader) relocated to another part of the country. This group was formed as the start of 2025 and we now have many regular walkers and always welcome new walkers. It is such a great way to start the week, meeting up with the guys and having a chat about anything we like in a safe space. During lockdown I discovered the health benefits of being outdoors walking and cycling, and I like to use my local knowledge to plan a variety of different routes each week. I have faced a number of mental health battles over the years, and I know how valuable it is to have a strong support network to be successful in beating whatever life throws at us I look forward to meeting you on one of our walks and hearing your stories.
NEW WALK STARTING MONDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2026 My name's Ben Francis, I’m a head of year in a school. I’ve spent the last year focusing on myself to become a better dad and husband. I recognise the challenges of being a man in today's society. I’ve have been part of a wider men's group collective from around the county and this has been pivotal in helping me reflect and grow. I want to be able to offer this more locally and build a community closer to home to support each other.
Hi, my name's Matt and I’m proud to be the Bournville Walk Leader. I'm walking because men's mental health matters — more than we often admit out loud. For too long, many of us have been taught to stay silent, to "tough it out," or to carry our struggles alone. But silence doesn't make the weight any lighter. I'm walking to challenge that silence. This walk represents a commitment to honesty, vulnerability, and connection. It's a reminder that asking for help is not a weakness — it's courage. I want other men to know that it's okay to open up, to struggle, and to heal at their own pace. No one should feel they have to fight their battles alone. We walk together to remind every man: you're not alone. One step for strength, one step for support, one step for hope!
My name is Luke and I'm really pleased to be the Walk Leader for Bury St Edmonds, I suffer with my mental health, and I want to do this so that men can have a safe place to be free and to talk if they need to. I want to help others, and I believe this will also help me on my own journey.
I'm Jon, Walk Leader for Dereham. I've always had a passion for walking, having grown up on a Wiltshire Farm. After 7 years in the RAF as a communications engineer, working in Search and Rescue and overseas, I moved into engineering manufacturing. I kept my outdoor passion going by training as a course director and mountain guide for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Unfortunately, my mental health took a dive when I lost my mum back in 1974 whilst serving in Cyprus during the Turkish invasion. I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression. I didn't get much help from the MOD, so I decided to find help myself. I found support much later from two amazing British Army veterans. I then decided to leave my safe Job in corporate and started my own business in 1989. That year, the interest rate hit 17.5%, and I was forced into liquidation. I had to return to the rat race again. To cut a long story short, I left corporate again in 2004 and retrained as a therapist. In 2010, I lost a close friend to brain cancer; she was my business partner and just 52 with 2 kids, which triggered my PTSD again, and resulted in me having a breakdown. I then found a great team of private therapists who guided me back. At 65 (now 70) I was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia, which made a lot of sense. Walking with my wife and 2 dogs is my way of staying grounded. We have only just moved into the area. I immediately joined the Dereham Men Walking and Talking group, deputising for Steve, the founder and leader of our group. Steve is taking some time off, so I have stepped in as leader. We are a very new group and are steadily building the numbers. We are all loving it.
Hi, my name is Kameron and I am the walk leader for this group. Due to going through a lot in life from birth to adulthood, instead of it eating me up and destroying my mind, I chose to use it to support and help others within my job and my personal life. I also run a talking group locally for men in my area and so because of it all, I get a lot by doing what I do by helping and listening to others.
Hi, I’m Alan. I think men struggle to talk about their mental health; I know I do. I rarely talk about my anxiety with anyone, even those close to me, and when I do, they don’t understand if they are not going through it themselves. I'm not ready to talk about all my own stuff yet, but I hope to get to a place where I can and maybe help you to do the same. Walking and talking will help us get there. I want to do this. I’m going for it and don’t want to do it on my own, so take a big step and turn up! This walk will be a safe space to open up, chat, or just walk and have space - if you decide to talk you’ll be talking to others who get it - talk, listen, make a new friend, or just come for the company and escape for an hour … what have you got to lose? Same time, same place, every week. Just a steady-paced walk for around 1 hour, no pressure or judgement, walk shoulder to shoulder with men just like you. See you there!