Testimonials
In this group, I have met people who I quickly came to call friends. Not for the sake of it, but for the empathy, camaraderie, friendliness and humour shared. We talk to each other about anything, but oftentimes we can talk about things we might not ever have spoken about to our best friends we've had for years or decades. The reason? The shared experiences and zero judgement, only encouragement, empathy and understanding. This group is a huge lifeline to many. For me, it's a strong part of a coping strategy which helps me through life.
Why I joined was to be part of blokes listening to each other, lifting each other out of any pit, mud or mire they’re in, to help them try to once again set their feet on a rock and give them a firm place to stand. I’ve found it doesn’t matter if you’re from the area or not, it’s a safe space to just chat about anything or nothing at all really. People listen without judgement, whatever your background or whatever the situation you’re in, or how you got there. Plus of course, it helps sometimes to just get out of the house and simply Walk & Talk, that’s what it says on the tin!
I originally joined as I was feeling down about my uncle passing away from cancer and the fact that both my mother and missus were doing chemo at the same time I found an outlet I didn't think I needed. Sadly, 5 days after I joined, I lost my missus. The group have been a great support to me, both from the walks together and in general. I'm still suffering myself, but I try to empathise with the others in the group too. The blokes group is priceless and sometimes words are not enough to describe what the group means to me.
I originally joined the group to find other like minded individuals who were willing to open up and share their own experiences of men’s mental health in the hope that I was alone in my own struggle, I joined very early on and it’s been an incredible journey watching this group grow into massive numbers of proper blokes who have committed themselves during an unprecedented time in everyone’s life to helping each other get through it the best we can, the support from each and every bloke has been amazing, in such a short space of time, we have become what can only be described as a brotherhood. I will forever be grateful for that.
I joined because I’d felt for many years that there needed to be a space where ‘ordinary’ men were encouraged to talk to each other about their actual lives. I lamented the loss of community I’ve seen in the last decade and more and the fact that people from different walks of life didn’t talk to each other half as much as I feel they should. I felt minds were becoming more and more closed, and echo chambers bigger and bigger. In so many ways, The Proper Blokes Club changed my life because it gave me a space to come and share some of what I’ve experienced and the problems I’ve had but, just as importantly, a space to listen and give support to blokes in need of it. Even more than this, PBC has given me an amazing group of friends, all with something valuable to say, all wonderfully open, all excellent listeners. I have always come away feeling better than I did when I went, and feeling far more assured in the knowledge that we have so much more in common than that which divides us.
I have been part of The Proper Blokes Club for a couple weeks now. The hard work and effort that Scott has put in to get men walking and talking to finally rid the stigma associated with men's mental health is commendable and to be a part of it is an absolute pleasure. #TeamWallington
