My name is Cliff and I am the Walk Leader for the Aberdeenshire Men Walking & Talking Walk Having witnessed men close to me struggle with their mental health for different reasons, I looked for a way to support them and that was when I discovered MWAT online, but found there was none in the local area. I have found that walking and connecting with other people has really helped me with my own mental health. So, I was inspired to start a walk in Peterhead. I have no doubt that a non-judgemental, peer support walk that gets people out and moving will be beneficial for men in our area.
NEW WALK STARTING FRIDAY 7th AUGUST 2026 Hi, my name is Matthew and I’m a Walk Leader at Men Walking and Talking Pegswood . A little bit about me - I’m approaching 50, am married and have a son who’s 26 and lives with his fiancée. I work in the most boring and hated industry in the world - insurance. Sorry but it pays the bills! Outside of work, I like to walk with my wife, Kelly, and our black Labrador, Max. Living in Northumberland, we have some of the finest hills, forests and coastlines in the country, so there’s plenty to explore. So why did I want to set this group up? Well as men, the historical impression has always been that in the face of struggle, we should keep quiet and get on with it, and that admitting you’re struggling is a sign of weakness. Unfortunately, that fear of feeling less of a man can be all consuming and can have devastating effects on us as men as well as our friends, family and loved ones. The fact is though, we all struggle with our mental health at times, and admitting to it or talking about it is absolutely not a sign of weakness. Personally, I feel it to be a sign of strength. I wanted to set this group up with my friend Bob as we both have the same vision of creating a safe space where men can simply walk and talk with no fear of judgement. There is absolutely no pressure on anyone to talk if they don’t feel comfortable. If you want to just walk with us then that’s fine too. Hi, I’m Bob. I ’ m a Deputy Walk Leader at Men Walking and Talking Pegswood I wanted to start this group because I know how isolating life can feel when struggling with mental health. Walking has helped me clear my mind and I wanted to help others to do the same. Me and Matt got talking one day and found that we were both of exactly the same mindset so we decided to do something about it. As a result, we set up the Men Walking and Talking Pegswood Group. I feel that creating a safe and supportive space where men can get outdoors, talk if they want to or simply walk alongside others who understand. No pressure, no judgement, just good company and helping each other one step at a time.
Hi, I’m Simon I’ve lived in Wokingham for about 26 years and have always enjoyed walking. My career has been mostly within health and social care. I’ve often found that when I get back from having a walk the stress of the day feels more manageable. Walking seems to give me time to process my thoughts. I don’t always find solutions, but I’ve had a great distraction to the worries of the day. Men’s health and wellbeing has always been something of importance to me, and I feel we are sometimes left behind, and it's assumed we cope. I hope to offer the Men of Wokingham a space, and some time for yourself and enjoy local walks in the company of others.
Hi. My name is Phil and I'm the Penzance walk leader. I'm Cornish born and bred and have had a varied career ranging from a Whitewater Raft Guide in Scotland to a Police Officer in Kent. I managed to return home approximately 10 years ago following a relationship breakdown and now run a Glamping business and Livery Yard with my partner Verity. I've become aware of men's mental health issues from my own relationship breakdown and subsequent issues around communication and child contact. The more I learn to understand my own issues. The more I realise so many men are in such a similar position and how little help and support there is our there, but also how daunting seeking help can be. I came across Men Walking and Talking by chance on Instagram and immediately thought that is exactly the type of thing I would like to attend and what a brilliant concept, and so very simple. After some research and discussions with the MWAT directors I decided to start a Penzance Group and look forward very much to meeting and chatting with you on one of our walks.
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
Hello, my name is Mike, and I am the walk leader for the Abbey Wood group in SE London. At 58 years old, I bring my extensive experience as a Life Coach, Therapeutic Counsellor, and Hypnotherapist to support and guide others on our walks. My journey to this role is deeply personal. In 2004, my then-wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a 72% chance of surviving ten years following a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the emotional toll was immense. We had two young sons, aged 6 and 4, at the time. While all emotional support from charities was focused on my wife, I found myself isolated, with no outlet to share my own emotions. Seen only as the rescuer and fixer, I had no space to express my fears and vulnerabilities. I cried once, and my wife told me, “Why are you crying? You will enjoy your life. Real men don’t cry.” I am pleased to say she is still with us today. In 2006, I became a school governor, initially at a primary school and later at a secondary school. This role began as a way to support my children through their education but grew into a moral duty to give back to society. Business had been good to me, allowing me to support my family well during my wife’s illness. As the secondary school became a lead academy, I took on the role of mentor to young male adults, many of whom lacked positive male role models at home and were vulnerable to gang recruitment. In 2020, my marriage ended, revealing to me the lack of support and understanding available for men. Despite my loyalty and support for my family, I was socially isolated and judged for leaving my marriage. This experience underscored the societal perception that “men don’t cry” and don’t need support or suffer abuse. I have had to find strength and resilience and fought bouts of depression but am now much stronger through the introspection needed to become a therapist. “It’s ok for men to cry or need help.” Today, through my roles and as a walk leader, I strive to create spaces where men can find the comfort and understanding they deserve, challenging societal norms that dictate men must always be strong and stoic. Join us on our walks, and together, let's redefine what it means to be a man
Hi, my name is Neil and I am the walk leader for Worcester MWAT. I'm a married dad of two living in Worcester. Mental health has always been a topic of real importance to me and my family. I've spent nearly 10 years working in educational settings, supporting young people with their own challenges with mental health and, as brilliant as our educational system can be, it always felt as though there's never been enough to support men after they leave school. As someone who has had my own challenges with mental health it can be worrying difficult to find the right line of support but it's been a really amazing experience to see the positive impact these walks have.
"Hi I am Martin, and a walk leader for the Penrith MWAT." I joined the Sandbach MWAT when it first started in Autumn 2024, and found that the simple act of meeting up with a group of gents, walking and talking for an hour each week benefited us all. I had been recommended by a friend to join, and so glad I did. I saw they were all over facebook promoting themselves and thought it was right up my street as is a more "casual" way to chat and get to know people than other mental health groups out there. No pressure to talk about anything specific, you can just talk about last weeks football, or what you did at the weekend, or just enjoy the walk. The support and encouragement from the guys is invaluable. I have had a number of mild mental health issues over the years, and just the act of walking and talking with a group of guys from different backgrounds and having a range of different issues proved massively helpful to us all. I have tried counsellors in the past, but in a way this works so much better, and they are real people, some who become real friends! I made a big life change in mid 2025, moving up to Cumbria, and was pleased to find a MWAT group in Penrith. If there wasn't one, I think I would have started one myself. Chris, who originally started the Penrith group asked if I would consider taking over the group to help it grow as he couldn't continue with it. I was more than happy to take what I had learnt from the guys in Sandbach and apply it here. I hope to grow the Penrith group, promote it, and help more guys benefit from what MWAT can give. This will be a new challenge, stepping up to lead a group. I hope it will continue to help me and many other men in the Penrith area, and will be proud to be an ambassador for MWAT!
Hi, I’m Kenny, the walk leader for this group. I first discovered MWAT through Phil’s Facebook posts when he started the Reading group in early 2024. About a year later, when he moved house to a county far away, I was glad to take over and keep the walk going. I’m passionate about neurodiversity and mental health. I have my own lived experiences and have done a fair bit of research, and I believe this group is a brilliant way to bring men together to support one another. We offer a safe, confidential space to talk openly, without judgement. Reading MWAT — Core values • A problem shared is a problem halved • What’s said in the group stays in the group • Nothing is off the table • No alcohol or drugs • Respect each other The group is a safe space for men to talk and share what’s going on for them. • Come and talk about everything • Come and talk about nothing • Come to make friends • Come for exercise • Come to get your steps in • Come and grab a curry with the boys (every couple of months) Looking forward to walking and talking with you.
Hi, my name is Danny. I currently live in Kidderminster, but I’m originally from Bridgnorth. After joining my local Men Walking and Talking group, I noticed a real interest online for a similar group in Bridgnorth, so I’ve decided to help bring it back. 💚 Why This Matters Men’s mental health is very important to me. Like many men, I spent years keeping things to myself, thinking I just had to get on with it. Over time I realised how much better life feels when you have people to talk to. Joining my local Men Walking and Talking group genuinely changed things for me. The simple act of walking, chatting and being around good people helped me find confidence, calm and a sense of connection that I didn’t realise I was missing. I want to bring that same supportive space to the Bridgnorth community, a place where men can turn up exactly as they are and feel welcome. No expectations, no pressure, just community. 🎧 A Little About Me I grew up in Bridgnorth and now live in Kidderminster, but my roots and my heart are still very much here. 🚜 I work as a forklift driver, which keeps me busy but also reminds me to appreciate the simple things in life 🎵 I am a musician who enjoys playing, listening and discovering new music 📸 I enjoy photography and capturing small moments that others might walk past 🌿 I feel most at peace outdoors, whether that is walking through town or spending time in nature 🗣 Most importantly, I enjoy connecting with people. Everyone has a story, and I love listening 📍 JOIN US – YOU ARE WELCOME HERE 💬 Walk. Talk. Connect. No pressure. No judgement. No need to pretend everything is fine. Just fresh air, real conversation and support for men’s mental wellbeing from people who understand.
Hi, my name is Stuart and I am the Walk Leader for Port Solent. Having suffered from mental health issues myself and feeling isolated, I was in a position where I didn’t want to talk in groups and shut myself away. I worked hard within myself to regain confidence to express my feelings and emotions to the point where I started to look for groups that I could attend. Having searched the internet it was great to see so many groups that help and support mental health and that’s where I stumbled across MWAT. Reading further I was inspired to get involved as there are no walk locations within my area and like myself, I’m sure there are others that feel alone, would like to start to socialise but may not be ready to openly talk about their mental health. Tim Skinner (The Apprentice) also gave me some inspiration to actively give some time to others as he has and is doing similar walks.
My name is Kristian and I am the Walk leader for Brighton MWAT. After a few years of working on myself — including attending a men’s retreat — I came to really appreciate the value of open conversations about mental health between men. When I looked for a group to join in Brighton, I was surprised to find there wasn’t much available. There are plenty of spaces for women, and they seem far better served when it comes to this kind of support. After a bit of searching, I came across Men Walking & Talking and thought it was a brilliant idea — simple, accessible, and something I’d love to bring to my own community. So I’ve decided to start something similar here in Brighton.