MenWalkTalk mental health support

Round & About

Having experienced various traumas himself, Mate Antosik knows the importance of men supporting one another through tough times by walking and talking

Walking side by side can change lives – that’s the simple belief of charity MenWalkTalk which provides a supportive space for men to walk, talk and connect with others. 

The free, volunteer-led groups walk in parks, along seafronts, through woods and towns bringing men together in a relaxed, pressure-free way to support their mental wellbeing. The walks are about more than exercise, they are about making connections and supporting each other. There’s no pressure to talk and no judgment is made, they invite you to open up or just listen to others. 

The groups run at locations across the UK. Mate Antosik set up a fortnightly MenWalkTalk get together in Guildford in July when he found there were no existing walks nearby. He wants to spread the word about the benefits of the free walks, open to all men, designed to encourage community, conversation, 
and wellbeing. 

He says: “The main motivation is that men’s mental health remains a topic that isn’t widely discussed, even though suicide is one of the leading causes of death among men in the UK. 

“Part of the challenge lies in the wider expectation that men should be ‘tough’ and not talk about their feelings or emotions. Having gone through various traumas and hardships myself, I’ve come to realise just how important it is to talk openly about these issues. Many men struggle to do so – and I’ve found, through personal experience, that being outside on a walk can make those conversations a little easier. 

“During these walks, we aim to create a friendly, supportive, and non-judgemental environment where men can talk and be listened to. While the goal isn’t to solve anyone’s problems, we’ve found that listening and sharing can make people feel less alone with their challenges.” 

Join Mate’s next walk on Saturday, 10th January at 10am at the Tunsgate Arch for a relaxing walk around the grounds of Guildford Castle and every fortnight after.