A NEW walking group is to start in Wokingham.
It offers space for men to be together, to walk and talk about whatever is on their mind.
Wokingham resident Simon Shaw is setting up the group.
Having worked in healthcare for a number of years, and wanting to give something back to the local community, he discovered a national organisation, Men Walking and Talking.
“It has around 50 walking groups around the country, and it’s doing a lot of really good work,” he said.
“I contacted them, and they explained how to set up a group here.
“It involves around an hour of walking and talking in a safe space.
“People can come along, let off steam, and then go home again.”
Simon says now is a good time to be starting the group, especially in the light of the Government’s recently launched Men’s Health Strategy, a 10-year vision to improve the health and wellbeing of all men and boys in England.
“This will be a really nice group, with professional backing – a safe space for all men of Wokingham,” he said.
“Men Walking and Talking is a well respected organisation, and even the Prime Minister thanked the organisation in Parliament recently, for the relevant work it is doing online to support the strategy.
“We all run very busy lives, and men’s health has always been in the shadows.
“But finally, now, it is becoming ok to say, ‘actually, I’m not ok’.
“If we can support people at this group, that’s great – but it’s not all about coming with problems – anyone can come along.
“We’ve all got history, and sometimes it’s good to talk about it with other people.”
The group, for all men over 18, will meet weekly on Monday early evenings, always starting at Cantley Park car park but taking different routes around the area.
There is no commitment to come every week, no pressure to talk, and no need to book.
People can just turn up, and the group willl walk at the pace of the slowest person.
“I’ve had a really good response to social media posts already, and am looking forward to starting in January.
“People are guaranteed a friendly hello, with no judgement, and a relaxed walk of around an hour long.”
The first Men Walking and Talking Wokingham will take place at Cantley Park car park, on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6.30pm.
For information, visit: menwalkingandtalking.co.uk, and for the Men’s Health Strategy, log onto: gov.uk
