Stressed City workers can let off steam and talk about their feelings in a new ‘walk and talk’ aimed at breaking the stigma around men’s mental health.
Proper Blokes Club has launched the free initiative to enable men working in the Square Mile to get together, have a stroll and a chat and help each other deal with the pressures of life.
It’s the latest group set up by the community interest company founded by Bermondsey-born Millwall fan and youth football coach Scott Johnson, inspired to act after experiencing struggles with mental ill health in his own life.
The work is being funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund, administered by the City of London Corporation with contributions from new developments in the Square Mile.
City of London Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:
“While perceptions are changing, there remains a stigma around men’s mental health and men are often reluctant to talk about these issues, particularly in the workplace, for fear of being seen as weak.
“We’re really pleased to be able to support the great work Scott is doing to break the stigma and to encourage men working in the Square Mile to talk about what they’re going through in an informal and non-judgmental environment.”
The City Corporation funding is also supporting Proper Blokes Club to provide drop-in sessions to men working at construction sites in the City. Shockingly, construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.
Proper Blokes Club Founder Scott Johnson said:
“I set up Proper Blokes Club because I wanted to create something that I needed in my own life but that wasn’t available at the time. The attitude was always ‘lighten up, grow a pair, have a couple of pints and get over it’.
“The walk and talk is just about creating a space where guys can come together to help each other out and walk in the fresh air. We want to take away any pressure and make it as easy as possible, so you don’t have to sign up – just come along.”
The Proper Blokes Club men’s wellbeing walk and talk meets every Tuesday at 10am by the Duke of Wellington statue in front of the Royal Exchange. More information is at www.theproperblokesclub.co.uk/walks
