It’s two years since ‘For Men To Talk… and Walk’ were joined by ITV Anglia News.
Two years ago today (Sunday 9 January 2022), ITV Anglia News’ ‘On Screen Journalist’ Callum Fairhurst joined the ‘For Men To Talk… and Walk’ after giving ‘For Men To Talk’ founder Luke Newman two days notice, asking if himself and Anglia News could interview and film the attendees.
ITV Anglia News refers to the regional news service provided by ITV for the Anglia region in England. Anglia is one of the regions served by ITV, covering parts of the East of England, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
They deliver local news, weather updates, and other regional content specific to the Anglia area. Like other regional news services within the ITV network, ITV Anglia News focuses on reporting news relevant to its designated region, ensuring that viewers receive information that is pertinent to their local communities.
Luke and the ‘For Men To Talk’ attendees gave Callum interviews at Jones’ Café Bar and Jordans Mill, promoting the mental and physical health benefits of walking and talking
Engaging in walking and talking can offer benefits for both mental and physical health. On the physical front, walking is a low-impact exercise that contributes to cardiovascular health, helps in weight management, and enhances overall fitness. Simultaneously, talking during this activity fosters social connections and strengthens relationships, contributing positively to mental well-being.
Luke Newman, ‘For Men To Talk’ founder looks back at the day:
We are always looking to publicise ‘For Men To Talk’ and the group meetings, either physical, virtual and the walking events, so it was a no-brainer to accept Callum on our walk to interview and film us. We want as many men to know that they aren’t alone and people are out there to help.
At the time, there were 6.3 millions residents in the East of England region. We know that not all those residents would tune into Anglia News on that specific date and time, but we hoped enough men would see the benefits of the walk does for men’s mental health.
Come Sunday, everything was simple but effective to film. Callum arrived with a microphone, camera, light and tripod in hand and interviewed myself and Steve Whitney in Jones’ Café Bar about the group and what we are trying to achieve.
We treated the walk like normal, men walking the Biggleswade Green Wheel, a walking and cycling route around the town, passing through areas of landscape, heritage and wildlife interest, talking about how they are feeling and what they are going through. But this time we had an ITV Anglia News cameraman following us!
Half-way through our 90 minute walk, we reached Jordans Mill, with the historic Victorian Mill and Riverside Café, which overlooks the stunning views of the River Ivel, it was the perfect setting for Callum to complete his interviews and filming. The men were so honest on the benefits on not only talking about how they were feeling, but also walking.
As we walked our final steps of the Green Wheel and reached our final destination of Jones’ Café Bar, the men were extremely proud of themselves, and quite rightly, that they were not only promoting ‘For Men To Talk’ in general, but the message the group brings across, that men are not alone in their mental health journey and that there are other men here to support you. This time, the whole of East Anglia would know about it too!
‘For Men To Talk – Biggleswade… and Walk’ is held on the 2nd Sunday every month at 9.15am. starting from Jones’ Cafe in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
‘For Men To Talk – Hitchin… and Walk’ in Hitchin is held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month at 5:30pm, starting from St Mary’s Church, Hitchin opposite the Memorial Fountain.
You can see the ITV Anglia News article below: