A Calne mental health initiative that has already changed lives through weekly walks is now adding a new way for men to meet and talk.
Following the success of the Men Walking & Talking - Calne group, co-organiser Leigh Randell has announced the launch of a monthly coffee morning, starting on Saturday 25th October at Pozza Coffee’s new café at CrossFit Calne on Portmarsh.
Running from 9am to 10am, the Men’s Coffee and Chat mornings will take place on the last Saturday of each month, with a different venue each time.
“It’s an opportunity to come along, maybe ask more about what we do, have a chat with others attending, or even just enjoy a nice coffee,” said Leigh.
The Calne Men Walking & Talking group was launched earlier this year by Sean Broomhall, who started the weekly walks after losing a close friend to suicide. Leigh later joined him as co-leader, helping to formally affiliate the group with the national Men Walking & Talking network.
The walks, held every Wednesday evening, have since offered a lifeline for men in Calne, encouraging open conversation about mental health in a safe and informal setting. Local councillors, including Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney, Cllr Mike Sankey, and Cllr Celia Stevens, have all joined the walks in recent months to show their support.
Leigh hopes the new coffee mornings will make it even easier for men to connect. “Not everyone wants to talk while walking,” he said. “Some might prefer to just sit down, have a brew and chat - or even just listen. It’s all about creating that space.”
Anyone interested in attending the first Men’s Coffee and Chat can register their interest on the group’s Facebook page – Men Walking & Talking, Calne Wiltshire – so organisers can give the venue an idea of numbers.
*Image by freepik
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