Our CEO Emma Woods-Bolger, talks about the importance of walking and talking in the great outdoors.

This Men’s Mental Health Week, we’re shining a light on something simple and powerful.

A walk.
A conversation.
A shared moment in the great outdoors.

Across the UK, Walk & Talk 999 is creating space for men in the Blue Light, NHS and Military communities to support their mental wellbeing in a way that feels natural, non-judgemental, and genuinely helpful. And as a Foundation, we’re incredibly proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people making it happen.

First launched in 2021, Walk & Talk 999 was created by Dean, a former firefighter who knew from personal experience how hard it can be to open up. After attending a local community walk himself and feeling the difference it made, he set out to offer something similar for other men in his service.

The idea was simple: gather outside, go for a walk, and let the rest unfold.

That idea has now grown into a nationwide network of free weekly walks. Some participants talk. Some walk quietly. Some come along just to be around others. There’s no pressure to share, and no need to be in crisis. What matters is turning up — for yourself and each other.

So, why walking? Why outdoors?

• It gets us moving. Movement, even a stroll, helps reduce stress and boost mood.

• It breaks the stigma. There’s something easier about side-by-side conversations, they don’t require eye contact or a big emotional build-up.

• It gives men a space to be without labels, without judgement.

• And nature grounds us. Just being outside can lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, and offer a sense of calm.

These walks are run by volunteers, many of whom have their own stories, their own reasons for showing up. They do this because they know how much it matters.

We know that 75% of people who die by suicide are men. That statistic should stop us in our tracks. But more importantly, it should move us to act.

This Men’s Mental Health Week, if you’re struggling, or even if you’re not, consider joining a walk. Bring a mate. Share the word. And if you’re able to help others, reach out and get involved.

To learn more or find a walk near you, visit www.walkandtalk999.co.uk.

Because talking helps.
Walking helps.
And being outside, together, might just be the beginning of something life-changing.