Croydon Walking Initiative Confronts Male Loneliness with Partner Support
The Proper Blokes Club, a pioneering walking group dedicated to combating male loneliness and mental health stigma, has revealed that wives and girlfriends are its most significant source of referrals. Founded by Scott Johnson in September 2020, the organization now operates 25 regular walking sessions throughout London, with recent expansion into Croydon's New Addington area supported by council funding.
How Partners Drive Participation
Scott Johnson explains that female partners frequently initiate contact, saying things like, "My husband or boyfriend needs this." He shared a poignant example from a walk in Southwark where a woman, recognizing the group from online posts, brought her husband outside to join. "Once he came, he stayed," Johnson noted, adding that this scenario likely repeats in thousands of households weekly. He emphasized that home is where men often feel safest to lower their emotional defenses.
Origins and Expansion
The club emerged from Johnson's personal struggles following a relationship breakdown and court battles for child access. "It came off the back of my own problems," he admitted. "It damaged me mentally, and I didn't realize until later." Initially focused on helping fathers, the mission broadened after the first walk included a non-parent participant.
In Croydon, the group has launched eight funded walks in New Addington, selected for its isolation and distance from central Croydon. Johnson observed, "I looked at it on the map and saw it was really isolated—it's tucked away." The recent tram suspension further highlighted accessibility challenges, making the walks particularly valuable for community connection.
Walk Structure and Participant Experiences
The New Addington programme features four daytime and four evening walks, with the next scheduled for March 25. The sessions are deliberately informal, with no set topics or agendas to avoid pressure. Edwyn Wood, a local resident on his third walk, praised the initiative: "We can talk about general things, it's all easy. You can speak as much or as little as you want."
Johnson designed the walks based on his experience with NHS talking therapy, noting that men often lack support networks compared to women. "Men don't think they should talk about difficult things. They suffer in silence," he said, referencing UK statistics where suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, with males accounting for three-quarters of all suicides.
Addressing Male Coping Mechanisms
Johnson critiqued common male coping strategies, such as self-medication with alcohol, drugs, or excessive gym use, which serve as distractions rather than solutions. He described his generation as the "pub generation," where going for a drink facilitated conversation, but noted that pub closures have reduced these opportunities. "Talking might not solve your problem, but it will make you feel better," he asserted.
Fellow walker Phil Innis, who also participates in emergency services support groups, shared how the format encourages openness, citing an ambulance worker who expressed frustration over witnessing constant injury. However, Johnson clarified the club's boundaries: "We're not counsellors. I'm happy to point people in the right direction." Trust is paramount, with a strict "what's said on the walk stays on the walk" policy.
Community Impact and Future Goals
Participants range from ages 18 to 80, with an average between 40 and 60. Johnson reported strong community backing, noting that walks can continue with just two attendees after his initial involvement ends. While online promotion generates buzz, converting interest into attendance remains challenging. "It's about getting guys on the ground, and that's always the difficult part," he said.
The club aims to demonstrate alternative approaches to mental health, fostering ownership and commitment among men. With council support covering practical costs, Johnson described the operation as "no frills, but effective," offering a vital lifeline in isolated areas like New Addington.
