Stand Tall - Strength and Wellbeing

23/07/2025

Monday Night Meet-Ups – 19:00

Informal. Chilled. No pressure.

Grab a cuppa, take a seat, and be open to learning something new.

Each week we dive into a different topic—from sleep to stress, worry to motivation, and everything in between. It’s about understanding how our minds and bodies work, and picking up useful tools along the way.

If you’re a guy looking to improve your wellbeing, you’re welcome here.

🕖 Mondays at 19:00
📍 Held in a lovely venue in Barry
💻 Just get in touch or hit the link in bio to self-refer

Come see what it’s all about.
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19/07/2025

If you know a service, team, group who have helped you, well worth nominating for MH awards

Best Mental Health Support Service Sponsorship Available This award will go to a mental health support service that has shown and provided exceptional help to individuals through their daily actions as an organisation. This category would be suitable for helplines and help centres, support services,...

14/07/2025

New blog just dropped — “Resilience: The Fine Line Between Bullsh*t and Something Useful”

We throw the word resilience around like it’s the answer to everything. But too often, it’s become just another way to shame people who are struggling.

This blog’s part rant, part reflection, part real-world guide to what resilience actually looks like — without the hustle, hype or Goggins cosplay.

link in bio.

12/07/2025

Few of the Stand Tall guys meet up most mornings for a dip, including .needham.stwl

I can’t always get there, but life has been a bit stressful recently. So, pulled self outta bed and joined them. Dip 0600am, chat, coffee .cafe_ . Chat with and already feel like a new man.

For those of us who have their fair share of struggles other good people in our lives can be the most important factor in breaking out of the funk we are it.

If anyone ever wants to join in. Just get in touch.

10/07/2025

New Blog Live: The Rising Mental Health Burden – Are We Missing the Point?

https://standtallwales.co.uk/2025/07/10/the-rising-mental-health-burden-are-we-missing-the-point/

We’ve never had more awareness, more services, and more conversations about mental health…
So why does it feel like things are getting worse?

In our latest blog, we dive into this growing paradox—exploring why rising support doesn’t always lead to better outcomes, and whether we’re focusing on the wrong things.

We ask: Are we overlooking the basics—community, connection, movement, and meaning—in favour of quick fixes?

👉 Link in bio to read the full blog.
Let us know your thoughts.
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10/07/2025

Want to know what Stand Tall is all about?

We run two weekly sessions in Barry for guys who want to get stronger in body and mind:

Gym sessions – Wednesdays @ 19:30
Unit 15 Functional Fitness
These aren’t just workouts. You’ll learn new movements, train alongside like-minded guys, and build confidence with the kit. No pressure, just progress.

Meet-ups – Mondays (doors 18:30, starts 19:00)

No group therapy. No pressure to talk. Just relaxed sessions where we cover useful stuff around health and wellbeing—like stress, nutrition, sleep, mental fitness, and more.

If you’re a guy looking to take better care of yourself or know someone who could do with a bit of support and community—send them our way.

It’s free, it’s friendly, and it works.
Link in bio. Any questions? Just ask.
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09/07/2025

👇

🌟 Calling All Veterans and blue light service workers! 🌟 Woody’s Lodge invites you to a unique experience on Flat Holm Island, from Wednesday 23rd July to Monday 28th July. Whether you’ve got a skillset to share or just your enthusiasm, we welcome you to join us!

🎨 Our activities will include painting, repainting, and putting up some wooden fencing. But it’s not all work; this is a chance to unwind, enjoy some tranquility, and give back in a meaningful way.

🍽 All meals are provided, ensuring you have the energy needed to enjoy and contribute to our projects. You’ll stay in our accommodation buildings, offering a variety of dormitory sizes to ensure a comfortable rest.

🚤 We’re setting sail from Penarth Barrage on Wednesday 23rd July at 1700 returning Monday 28th at 1000. The exact timings are to be confirmed, but expect an adventurous ride on a Rib to our island retreat!

No specific skills are required, but if you have them, they’re a bonus! This is an opportunity to:
• Enjoy a break and some respite
• Connect with fellow veterans
• Give back through meaningful work

Interested? Let us know! It’s not just about the work; it’s about building a community, sharing stories, and creating memories on the beautiful Flat Holm Island. Don’t miss this chance for an adventure with purpose. 🌊💪

DM us, comment below or email sian@woodyslodge.org with your contact details

’sLodge

28/06/2025

Working out with likeminded people doesn’t just help you have fun—it creates bonds, builds trust, and makes the hard stuff feel a whole lot more bearable.

That shared effort? That shared sweat? It builds resilience.

Resilience is the ability to suffer something and bounce back—and that’s exactly why training together is part of what we do at Stand Tall.

Interested in joining us? Just get in touch.
Link in bio.

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22/05/2025

This is what it looks like before our Stand Tall meet-up kicks off.

We know walking into something new can feel a bit daunting. Some guys worry:
“Will I have to talk?”
“Is it going to be heavy or awkward?”
“Is it all therapy mumbo jumbo?”

It’s not.

Our meet-ups are relaxed and informal. No pressure to talk. No digging into your past. No sitting in circles sharing feelings (unless you want to).

It’s about learning.
Learning how your mind and body work.
Learning about things that help—like sleep, stress, emotions, nutrition, movement, and more.

Because at Stand Tall, we believe when you understand how things work, you’re far more likely to do the things that work.

All guys welcome. No expectations. Just show up.

Interested? Just get in touch, more info in link in bio.

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17/05/2025

Last night we dove into something that’s often oversimplified—Heart Rate Variability (HRV).

For a lot of guys, it’s not enough to be told “just do some breathing exercises” or “cut back on stress.” We want to know what’s actually going on under the hood—and how to take control of it.

That’s why we unpacked:
• What HRV really is
• Why it matters for mental and physical health
• How it links to our autonomic nervous system (fight/flight vs rest/recover)
• And most importantly—how to turn up our rest mode when life gets chaotic

We don’t just talk theory—we put it into practice. Breathing drills. Awareness exercises. Real tools you can use.

Big thanks to the guys who came along. This stuff matters.

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11/05/2025

Shoutout to one of the guys in the community who made these little badboys!

11/05/2025

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s pause before telling men, “It’s okay to talk.”

For many guys, talking goes against the grain of who they are and radical change and openness doesn’t appear in a vacuum of the depths of despair.

Instead, let’s focus on a man’s strength; connection. Then talking comes later.

Tell him:
🧠 Be part of something
🎯 Share a goal
🤝 Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with good men who’ve got your back

When connection comes first, talking becomes easier. Because self-worth is reinforced—not reduced. Because he’s learning alongside others. Because strength and support can coexist.

Connection first. Then talk.

Why don’t men seek help easily?
🔸 They value independence and reliability (Barry et al., 2019)
🔸 Action-based support works better (Jakupcak et al., 2010)
🔸 Their biology responds differently to stress (Taylor et al., 2000)

Men need a different path into better wellbeing and ‘talking’—one built on doing, belonging, and growing together.

Let’s give them that.

If you want links to these studies, let me know.