Men invited to join walk to improve mental wellbeing

Men are invited to join a walk along Clacton seafront next month and offload their issues to a listening ear.

Walk and Talk 4 Men was founded by James Mace last year as a mental health support group, after realising that men often bottle up their feelings and suffer in silence.

Following his first walk in March 2019, the movement has grown on social media with volunteers now coming forward looking to lead walks across Essex, and the Tendring Local Delivery Pilot has supported the scheme with a microgrant.

The Local Deliver Pilot is part of a national initiative from Sport England being run in the county, led by Active Essex, to tackle inactivity in the community.

A walk will be taking place on Clacton seafront from 12-2.30pm on Sunday, 29 March.

James said: “Men in general find it difficult to open up and talk about their feelings. We often see it as a weakness, we feel we always need to be strong, tough and macho, and that’s a lot of pressure we are putting on ourselves.

“Here at Walk and Talk 4 Men we want to encourage men that it’s okay to talk and that nobody is alone. We have a stroll around a country park or other open space, whilst having a chat in a safe place without judgment.”

For further information about the walk visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/846096952479222/.

Lynda McWilliams, Cabinet Member for Partnerships at Tendring District Council – part of the Local Delivery Pilot – said Walk and Talk 4 Men was a great example for others.

“The Tendring Local Delivery Pilot is starting to make a big difference to people’s lives, supporting small and large organisations in helping to get residents active,” Cllr McWilliams said.

“If your organisation could benefit from some cash, however little, to support this type of work, I’d urge you to get in touch.”

To see if your organisation could benefit from a Local Delivery Pilot grant contact Cheryl Lomas at cheryl.lomas@activeessex.org or call 07826 531385.

NEWSDESKS

For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.