A community of Talk Clubs specifically tailored towards helping men talk about their mental health is looking for captains to help run clubs across the country, including Abergavenny.

Talk Club was co-founded by Bristol film-maker Ben Akers who sadly lost his childhood friend Steve to suicide in 2014 at the age of 38.

Ben set up the group after producing a documentary on Steve’s story in a bid to raise awareness of male suicide.

Statistics show that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 49, with approximately 75 per cent of all suicides in the UK are male.

The clubs are a mental fitness community for men, providing a safe, secure and private space to share and support others, with the clubs priding itself on confidentiality and non-judgement.

Talk Club currently has 2,500 men in 60 clubs around the world including clubs in Australia and United States.

Despite running on an informal basis, Talk Clubs do have a set of guidelines and rules.

Over the course of a two-hour meeting, members have the opportunity to open up by answering four questions surrounding their current state of mental health. In order to ensure each man has the chance to talk uninterrupted, clubs usually pass an object such as a tennis ball around the group with the person holding the object then allowed to speak.

The four questions at Talk Club consist of the following:

How are you? Out of 10?

Gratitude, what are you grateful for? What makes you happy?

Plans for coming week to help upkeep of mental fitness

How are you? Out of 10?

The questions are aimed at helping bridge the disconnect of understanding and to foster patience and understanding.

John Powell, is a captain for Hereford Talk Club. John currently works in sales but previously worked in construction and like Ben has also been directly affected by suicide.

John said: “I’ve lost three family members to suicide as well as a former boss, so I know how big an issue this is especially for men. I myself have struggled at times with my mental health, which is why I wanted to get involved with Talk Club. Becoming a captain has been immensely beneficial to my mental health and I would encourage any male struggling to come along to a meeting of their local club.”

John, who originates from Wales and whose parents live in Abergavenny, is now looking to help Ben resurrect an Abergavenny Talk Club.

To help with this John plans on working with the Abergavenny Well-being Festival in June to help raise awareness of the groups.

Previously Abergavenny Talk Club was held at the Tythe Barn, and John is now looking for a more permanent regular venue to host meetings.

“The club runs itself, it is self-sufficient but we do need co-operation with local businesses to provide a secure and regular venue where we can hold our meetings.”

“We also need more captains to help run the meetings. All captains are trained by team members before assuming responsibility.”

Since launching three years ago Talk Clubs have risen up across the country with clubs being launched in co-operation with professional football clubs including Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, Sheffield United and Forest Green Rovers.

A charitable football team Talk Club FC was also recently set up in August 2021, sponsored by Bristol Rovers Community Trust and the Bristol City Robin’s Foundation.

Speaking about Talk Club, John added: “As men we need to learn to speak out, listen to others and do so without judgement and that is what Talk Club is about, and we hope that more men feel encouraged to join and the groups can continue to grow and help men across the country.”

For more information about Talk Club please visit Home – Talk Club (wetalkclub.com)