Paul Miller, who works for the National Trust at Glendurgan Garden and leads regular wellbeing walks for different groups there, decided to start a new branch of Men Walking and Talking, drawing from his own experiences. 

Men Walking and Talking was set up in 2021 in the Midlands, and now has 35 groups across the UK, welcoming some 300 men. The Falmouth group is the very first to be set up here in Cornwall, and Paul hopes it will benefit many people in the community.

“The group started by chance,” Paul explained. “I work at Glendurgan, and lead wellbeing walks for a lot of groups, like St Petroc’s and Macmillan. I also run walks for the South West Coast Path Association, so I’ve been involved for many years in long distance walking. 

“Quite a few different people have said to me that a walking group for men is the sort of thing we could do with here in Cornwall, so I started looking into it.”

There is a stigma around men’s mental health that Paul knows only too well, being ex-military and understanding how easy it is to ‘bottle things up’. The walks encourage men to open up, if they feel comfortable to, and to seek support if needed. 

He said. “If some people don’t want to talk, that is absolutely fine. Even just getting out and having that walk with other men, talking about football or enjoying being out in nature, is a positive thing. I’m very passionate about it.” 

The group meets at Gyllygvase car park every Tuesday evening, 7pm. You do not have to book a place, simply turn up, though anyone wanting more information about the group and walks is welcome to message Paul on the Facebook page. 

“There is no judgement or expectation,” Paul continued. “We turn up, introduce ourselves to each other, then walk for about an hour. Every week will be an alternative route, and I hope we will be able to walk more of the coastpath when it gets lighter. I always make sure we walk in a well-lit area, too.”

Paul is a mental health first aider, so is able to offer some advice and signpost support to any man struggling with their mental health. 

For more information about Falmouth Men Walking and Talking, go to their Facebook page.

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