Weston’s MP teams up with Talk Club Mental Health charity to shape national strategy

Weston-super-Mare MP Dan Aldridge has brought local voices to the heart of government policy by hosting a public consultation on men’s mental health, aimed at shaping the UK’s first Men’s Health Strategy.

Held on Thursday 17 July in partnership with Talk Club at Weston-super-Mare Football Club, the community event gave residents the chance to share personal experiences and policy suggestions for improving men's mental health. The findings have now been formally submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care to help shape the national strategy.

Dan Aldridge MP said: “Men in towns like Weston face a unique set of challenges – from limited access to services, to financial pressures and long-standing stigmas around masculinity. The people I heard from made it clear: mental health support needs to be longer-term, community-led, and rooted in the real lives of men who are often overlooked in national planning.

We also need a culture change. Too many men still feel unable to ask for help, or even to ask themselves how they’re really feeling. We need to reflect, as a society, on how we talk about strength - and recognise that there is real strength in speaking honestly about emotions. Much of this starts with education. Mental health must be taught in schools, giving boys the tools and language they need from an early age.”

Steve Barnard, Community Manager for Talk Club, said; “Engaging with community members and addressing the potential improvements in the government Male Health Strategy is essential for promoting better mental health support for men and reducing suicide.

It’s great that Dan Aldridge MP is on a mission to include Weston-super-Mare in the current data gathering and that, with Talk Club, he facilitated such an open dialogue.”

The event, hosted at the football club in the heart of the community, highlighted a range of issues affecting men's mental wellbeing, including limited access to counselling, the need for early intervention, and the vital role of peer support. It also underlined the importance of designing health services that reflect the needs of coastal and deprived areas like Weston-super-Mare, where health inequalities are often more acute.

Key findings from the Weston consultation include:

• A call for place-based mental health strategies, tailored to coastal communities.

• The need for longer-term support, not just six-session limits on therapy.

• Expansion of peer-led and community talking groups like Talk Club.

• Creation of drop-in centres for men offering multiple support services under one roof.

• Cultural change in healthcare to better recognise how men present with mental health challenges.

• More education to challenge stereotypes about masculinity and encourage emotional literacy in boys.

• Better procurement of locally rooted services, not just national providers.

• Simpler, clearer communication around support options and access.

The event also spotlighted what is already working, including a growing number of grassroots men’s groups, better public conversations about mental health, and stronger employer support. Participants emphasised the importance of building on this progress with real investment and long-term vision.

Dan Aldridge MP added: “This consultation is just the beginning. I’ll be continuing to work with colleagues across Parliament to push for a mental health system that works for men - especially in places like Weston where the need is urgent. The Men’s Health Strategy must be bold, inclusive, and practical - and that means listening to the people doing the work on the ground, while also breaking down the barriers that have held men back for far too long.”

The full consultation response, co-authored with community members and Talk Club, has been submitted to government and is available on request.