Swindon Mindful Employer Network event recap: opening up - understanding men's mental health
This week, we were pleased to welcome attendees to the final Swindon Mindful Employer Network event of the year - a collaboration between Business West, Swindon Borough Council and Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind.
Aligned with Movember, this event created a safe, open space for discussion around men's mental health and how workplaces can better support everyone to talk more openly about mental wellbeing.
Understanding masculinity
Lynette Buebird, mental health trainer at Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind, opened the session by exploring Brannon's Four Rules of Masculinity - the long-held social norms that can discourage men from expressing vulnerability:
- No sissy stuff - avoiding anything considered “feminine”
- The big wheel - defining worth by success, wealth, or power
- The sturdy oak - hiding emotions and showing toughness
- Give ’em hell - taking risks and being aggressive
Lynette discussed how these expectations can discourage men from seeking help and contribute to emotional repression, stigma, and high suicide rates. By challenging unhelpful language like “man up” or “toughen up”, she encouraged attendees to create psychologically safe environments that normalise vulnerability and open conversation, and explained how shifting towards emotional connection can create healthier relationships and workplaces.
From "Iron Man" to every man
Using Tony Stark (Marvel's Iron Man) as a case study, Lynette then illustrated how the journey from emotional repression to openness can be transformative, both for fictional heroes and real-life men. By learning to lean on others, show fear, and embrace humility, Tony’s evolution mirrored the growth that’s possible when men challenge outdated ideas about strength and masculinity.
Normalising vulnerability
Lynette discussed the importance of encouraging openness around mental health in professional settings, highlighting how fear of judgment often prevents people from speaking up.
"People may worry that it is seen as a weakness in the workplace, and may not use phrases like "I'm feeling very stressed" because they're concerned that their colleagues might perceive them as not able to do their job properly."
She explained that when organisations actively normalise vulnerability, it helps dismantle stigma and create cultures where honesty is valued over stoicism. By modelling openness from the top, with leaders acknowledging stress, seeking support, and checking in with their teams, workplaces can become psychologically safe spaces where everyone feels able to share how they’re really doing.
To foster mentally healthy teams, Lynette encouraged organisations to train mental health first aiders and suicide first aiders, so staff know where to turn for support.
Inspiring stories of peer support
The attendees then heard from Andy Barton, area lead for Andy’s Man Club, who shared that the charity was founded after the loss of Andy Roberts, whose family wanted to prevent other families from going through the same pain. The first group launched in 2016 in Halifax, with just nine men in attendance. Today, the organisation’s 320+ community groups across the UK support over 6,500 men each week by providing judgment-free spaces to talk.
Every Monday evening, groups meet to talk, listen, and share their lived experiences. The sessions follow a format of five structured questions designed to help participants reflect and connect, ranging from “How’s your week been?” to “What’s one thing you’re proud of and why?” and even “What’s your favorite sandwich filling?” (Andy’s personal favorite is cheese and pickle, by the way) - sparking easy, engaging conversation.
“There’s no booking, no charge, no referral - often, the hardest part is just walking through the door.”
The charity’s mission is that every man in the UK should be within a 20-minute drive of a group, with both in-person and online sessions available to ensure support is accessible to all.
Creating safe spaces
Jeff Tucker, co-founder of Best Mates, then spoke about their focus on connection, conversation, and community - helping people navigate life’s toughest moments through peer support and lived experience.
“We’re here to make sure no one faces life’s toughest moments alone.”
Their small group sessions are designed to build resilience and support mental well-being through honest conversations and lived experience. One of their most popular initiatives, Walk and Talk Wednesdays, takes place every week in Swindon, attracting twenty to thirty people come rain or shine. The walks have helped form friendships and support networks that extend beyond the sessions.
Alongside the walks, Best Mates offers Thoughts 'n' Talk café sessions and one-to-one peer support through its Mates programme. Participants are matched with someone who has faced similar challenges, fostering empathy and understanding through lived experience.
“When you talk to someone who’s been through what you’re going through, the power of that connection is off the chart.”
Where additional help is needed, Best Mates works with professional service providers and charity partners to signpost people to further support - combining peer empathy with practical pathways to care. Now in its second year, the organisation has already supported over 220 people, with plans to expand its Walk and Talk Wednesdays to ten locations nationwide by the end of next year.
Key takeaways from the day
- Challenging stereotypes matters: Outdated ideas of masculinity can prevent men from seeking help; normalising openness helps everyone.
- Peer support works: Initiatives like Andy’s Man Club and Best Mates show the power of shared experience in tackling isolation.
- Small moments can change lives: A chat, a walk, or a cup of tea can be the first step toward better mental health.
- We all have a role to play: Whether at home or at work, encouraging honest conversations helps break the stigma for good.
Useful resources
The presentation slides from this event are available here for those who missed the event or want to revisit the content.
Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind shared details of their Wellness Action Plan, a practical tool to help employees reflect on what supports their mental health at work, spot early warning signs, and outline helpful adjustments. It encourages open conversations with managers, promotes well-being, and supports performance, including during times of stress or return from absence. Download the PDF for more information.
To find an Andy's Man Club group near you, click here, and get in touch with Best Mates here.
We'll be back with more Swindon Mindful Employer Network events in 2026 and hope to see you there.