Men Walking and Talking - Long Eaton

08/04/2026

🌿 Upper Down Meadow: Spring/Summer Programme is Live

This next phase of the land is really beginning to take shape…

Thanks to £60,000 funding from the we’re creating essential spaces across the meadow — from shelter and storage to new planting, wet woodland, and meadow restoration 🌱

We’ve worked right through winter to get things started (mud, cold, all of it!) and our volunteers have been incredible. Now, as things grow, we’re inviting more of our community to be part of it 💚

Here’s how you can get involved…

🌾 Thursday Drop-Ins (10am–4pm)
Come spend time on the land — lend a hand or simply enjoy being outdoors. Stay as long as you like.

🛠️ Sunday Sessions (from 2pm)
Hands-on days building and creating together
📅 19 April | 10 May | 28 June

🌞 Wild in the Wilne — Summer Solstice (20 June, 2–8pm)
An afternoon & evening of music, food, connection, and celebration as we welcome the height of summer ✨

A relaxed, family-friendly gathering — whether you come to dance, rest, or simply wander the meadow, you’re warmly invited.

📩 Want to be part of the Upper Down Meadow community?
Email: elephantroomsdraycott@gmail.com

Please SHARE this post and help us build something special here in Draycott! 🥰

07/04/2026

Fantastic turnout last Thursday with a Long Eaton record number!
Let's keep the message going.

20/03/2026

02/03/2026

Pleased to say that tomorrow, we launch the Men Walking and Talking - Beeston group!

Looking forward to getting it off the ground and supporting more men in the local area!

Big love

Mike🖤💙

fans
Men Walking and Talking
Walks 4 Wellbeing
Long Eaton Self Help Group
Erewash Voluntary Action
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service
BlueTonic
West Park Leisure Centre

Tomorrow is our very first MWAT Beeston walk 🎉

I’m really looking forward to getting the group started and meeting everyone properly. Whether you’re brand new or have walked with MWAT before, you are very welcome to join us.

If you’ve been thinking about coming along, this is your sign. Bring a friend if you like, and come and be part of the first step for Beeston.

See you there 👟


Men Walking and Talking

27/01/2026

24/01/2026

Evening all. This is a bit of a long post, but it’s been some time since I told you about me.

I thought it was a good time to reintroduce myself, especially to those who are new here.

My name is Mike. I’m 28 and I’m the walk leader for MWAT Long Eaton. I was originally part of the Quinton MWAT group, but after moving to Long Eaton, I quickly realised just how important that group had been for me and how much I wanted to help create something similar locally.

Like many men, I grew up believing that I shouldn’t show emotion and that men are meant to be strong, quiet, and carry things alone. When my dad passed away in 2021, I didn’t know how to cope, so I kept everything inside and tried to push on.

Over time, that led me to a place I’d never experienced before, a deep depression.

Finding MWAT helped me realise I didn’t have to deal with everything on my own.

The Long Eaton walk has now been active for just over a year, and we’re consistently seeing around 10 to 15 men turn up each week. I’m incredibly proud of that, but I’m also honest enough to say that recently, due to personal circumstances, I’ve found myself struggling with depression again. It’s a reminder that mental health is ongoing, and none of us are immune, no matter how far we’ve come.

That’s exactly why this space matters. MWAT Long Eaton is about creating a safe, supportive environment where men can talk openly, listen without judgement, and simply show up as they are.

If you’re feeling low, isolated, or just need a place to walk and talk, you’re more than welcome to join us. You don’t need to have the right words. You just need to turn up.

Big love

Mike
🖤💙







Men Walking and Talking
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
West Park Leisure Centre
Long Eaton Self Help Group
Walks 4 Wellbeing
BlueTonic
Erewash Voluntary Action
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service

24/01/2026

Very much looking forward to engaging with the community today at the West Park Leisure Centre Community Open Day!

Come down and see us, and see what else is on in the area!

Big love

Mike
🖤💙







Long Eaton Self Help Group
Walks 4 Wellbeing
Men Walking and Talking
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
BlueTonic
Erewash Voluntary Action
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service

07/01/2026

After the amazing response to our anniversary post, we’re excited (and a little proud!) to say:

Our next walk is TOMORROW 🗓️

👣 FIRST WALK OF THE YEAR!

📍 Outside West Park Leisure Centre

⏰ 19:00

If you’re new, you are very welcome. It’s completely okay to feel nervous. Most of us were on our first walk too. You can talk as much or as little as you like, walk alongside someone, or simply enjoy the fresh air and company.

No pressure. No expectations. Just walking and talking, together.

We’ll see you there 🚶‍♂️💬💙

Big love

Mike
🖤💙







Men Walking and Talking
West Park Leisure Centre
Walks 4 Wellbeing
Long Eaton Self Help Group
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
Erewash Voluntary Action
BlueTonic
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service

03/01/2026

Last night we celebrated 1 year of Men Walking and Talking 🎉

Huge thanks to every man who’s joined us on a walk, shared a story, listened, or simply shown up. What started as a simple walk has become a powerful community, and that’s because of you.

And a big thank you to The Solicitors for hosting us and helping us mark this milestone. Here’s to many more walks and conversations ahead🚶‍♂️💬💙

Big love

Mike
🖤💙







Men Walking and Talking
Long Eaton Self Help Group
Walks 4 Wellbeing
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
BlueTonic
Erewash Voluntary Action
West Park Leisure Centre
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service

31/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to say a massive thank you to every man who has “walked and talked” with us this year.

It takes courage to show up, to open up, and to take that step alongside other men. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of you for reaching out and choosing connection.

On a personal note, this year has taken a huge toll on my mental health and it has ended very differently to how I thought it would. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without this group. The support, the conversations, and simply not having to carry things alone have meant more than I can put into words.

I also want to acknowledge the men who have thought about coming along but haven’t quite taken that first step yet. Even considering it matters. You’re not forgotten, and the door is always open.

The New Year is a chance to begin again. If you’ve been meaning to join us, we’d love to walk with you. And if you know a friend, family member, or loved one who could benefit from a simple walk and an honest conversation, please point them our way.

We also have something special to celebrate! On Friday 2nd January, Men Walking and Talking – Long Eaton turns one year old. One year of steps taken, conversations shared, and support given.

Here’s to more walks, more talking, and more looking out for one another in the year ahead 💙🖤

Join us in the New Year. Or help someone else take that first step.

I love you. I’m proud of you.

Mike
🖤💙







Men Walking and Talking
Erewash Voluntary Action
Long Eaton Self Help Group
West Park Leisure Centre
Walks 4 Wellbeing
Derbyshire Mental Health Team
Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service
BlueTonic

30/10/2025

🚶‍♂️🧍‍♂️ MEN WALKING AND TALKING LONG EATON 🧍‍♂️🚶‍♂️

This morning, I raised the Men Walking and Talking - Long Eaton group in parliament, talked about their work and said I'd be joining them this evening 🌃

So, tonight, I rocked up at West Park Leisure Centre at 7 o'clock to join this brilliant group for a walk around West Park 🚶‍♂️

The group provides men with a safe space to open up about their mental health and provide each other with support, without judgment. All men are welcome and it’s completely free - just an opportunity to have a conversation and share troubles.

This group, and other groups like it around the country, do so much to support men's mental health. Lots of people in my life have struggled with mental ill health, and I know so many lives are saved each year by groups like this, so a massive thank you to Mike and the team for running it every week.

And if you’re reading this and you're not doing so well - please know that there's someone out there for you to talk to, whether it’s a mental health professional or a local group, and there is support available for you ♥️

13/09/2025