A City walk and talk invites stressed men to step away from the desk and speak openly

A new City walk and talk is being launched in the Square Mile to give stressed workers a chance to step outside, talk openly and ease the pressure of the working week, without the formality that often puts men off seeking support.

The free Tuesday sessions are run by Proper Blokes Club, a community interest company founded by Scott Oughton-Johnson, who began the project after his own struggles with mental ill health. The idea is simple: no sign-up, no pressure, just a walk and a conversation.

The group meets every Tuesday at 10am by the Duke of Wellington statue outside the Royal Exchange. Details of the City walk, along with information about other walks and support groups run by Proper Blokes Club across London, can be found here.

The initiative is being funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund, administered by the City of London Corporation using contributions from new developments in the Square Mile.

Chris Hayward, the City Corporation’s policy chairman, said the workplace can still feel like a difficult place for men to admit they are struggling. “While perceptions are changing, there remains a stigma around men’s mental health and men are often reluctant to talk about these issues, particularly in the workplace, for fear of being seen as weak,” he said.

He added that the City was backing the project because it offers an informal route into support. “We’re really pleased to be able to support the great work Scott is doing to break the stigma and to encourage men working in the Square Mile to talk about what they’re going through in an informal and non-judgmental environment,” Hayward said.

Alongside the City walk and talk, the funding is also supporting drop-in sessions for men working on construction sites in the City. Proper Blokes Club already runs similar initiatives in neighbourhoods across London, adapting the format to suit local communities while keeping the focus on simple, peer-led support.

Oughton-Johnson said he set up the organisation to create something he had needed himself.

“The attitude was always ‘lighten up, grow a pair, have a couple of pints and get over it’,”

he said.

“The walk and talk is just about creating a space where guys can come together to help each other out and walk in the fresh air. We want to take away any pressure and make it as easy as possible, so you don’t have to sign up, just come along.”

For some City workers, the appeal may be precisely that it is not framed as a programme. It is a practical pause in the middle of a busy week, built around conversation rather than performance.

If the City walk follows the pattern of other Proper Blokes Club groups across London, organisers hope it will become a regular fixture for men who feel they have been carrying too much, for too long, in silence.

For more stories exploring life across the Square Mile, follow EyeOnLondon City for original features and everyday insights across the capital. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.

[Image Credit | City of London Corporation]

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