Walk and Talk 999 logo

Walk & Talk 999

Funded: March 2023

Blue Light Card Foundation has provided funding to support a new website and further development of the walking groups

Sectors supported: Blue Light community

Walk & Talk 999 is an early intervention mental health initiative for men who are serving, have served or are retired from the Blue Light, NHS, and Military Services. First launched in 2021 after reading that 75% of people who sadly died by suicide were men, we looked into the barriers and stigmas that men faced which might be stopping them from seeking help

Dean had experienced first-hand how talking can really have a positive impact on your mental health, so thought by creating a relaxed atmosphere somewhere, where men could talk to other men may help them.

Dean was invited on a walking group for men in the community, which was taking place in Greenwich Park, after speaking with the people who attended each week and seeing the difference it was making to them, he decided to trial the idea for the Fire Brigade by starting a walk in Beckenham Place Park with the thought that if it even helped just one person it would be worth it. After seeing early how many people were attending decided to open it up to other services.

Walks are carried out in various locations throughout the UK on a weekly basis. They are leisurely walks that offer a safe and supportive environment to chat freely and assist with breaking the sigma around mental health. There is no pressure for anyone to open up, people can attend and listen to others, walk in silence or talk about the weather, you also don’t have to be struggling to attend as it’s a fantastic environment and always great for everyone to get out in the open and meet with like-minded people, giving yourself some time away to engage with others.

The walks are run by amazing people who give up their own time each week to provide these safe spaces for men to talk, there are also two amazing women who give up their own time working behind the scenes.

The Blue Light Card Foundation is supporting Walk & Talk 999 by granting funds to allow the group to develop further and include creation of a website.

“Walk & Talk 999 are incredibly grateful for the grant that the Blue Light Card Foundation is gifting us. This grant will be paid forward beyond measure by allowing us to create a website to not only centralise the information around our nationwide walks, but to allow us to grow further across the country and hopefully worldwide. With our website and new promotional material, we will feel more professional as we strive to bring the elevation we need to support more men on their mental health journey. Thank you for giving us such a massive step up in our plans.”

 

For more information, to find your local walk or start your own please visit the website: walkandtalk999.co.uk