Why ‘For Men To Talk’ founder Luke Newman keeps returning to Kenya – and how it helps his mental health
Luke Newman, the founder of ‘For Men To Talk’, is no stranger to helping others. On Saturday, 17 May 2025, he’ll begin his tenth humanitarian trip to Nakuru, Kenya. Luke and a small team will travel to one of the poorest areas in the region to support five local schools and hundreds of children. For Luke, these trips are not just about giving – they’re also about healing.
Over the years, Luke has worked closely with schools in Kenya. He’s helped teach lessons, trained teachers, improved the curriculum, and assisted with the schools’ feeding programme. Three years ago, Luke helped build a temporary kitchen. Now, he’ll return to help build a permanent one – a lasting structure that will make a big difference in the daily lives of students and staff.
Last year’s trip was especially rewarding. After three years of hard work, the team finally finished a two-story classroom. They plastered the inside and outside walls, painted the rooms and windows, and gave the students a beautiful, clean, and safe place to learn. That classroom now stands as a symbol of what teamwork, time, and care can achieve.
Luke documents his trips with a daily blog so supporters can follow along. You can read his posts here: https://formentotalk.co.uk/fmttken
But these humanitarian trips aren’t just about building schools. They’re also deeply personal for Luke. They’re a way for him to take care of his own mental health.
“As much as I go to support others, these trips give me time to reflect, reset, and feel grounded,” Luke says. “Seeing how these communities smile and stay positive despite having so little – it reminds me of what’s really important. It helps me with my own mental health.”
Luke’s ‘For Men To Talk’, is all about helping men open up about their feelings and support each other. His trips to Kenya are a powerful example of practicing what he preaches – giving time, building connections, and focusing on well-being, both for others and for himself.
To make the 2025 trip possible, Luke has been working hard to raise money. The funds will go toward travel, supplies, and helping the schools continue their amazing work. A portion of the donations will also support Derby County Community Trust, which runs sports and activity programmes for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Derbyshire.
Luke is already planning to return in 2026 – but he’ll need to raise over £2,500 to make it happen. If you’d like to donate, you can do so at: https://tinyurl.com/lnrik2026
Thinking about joining the next humanitarian trip yourself? You can find more info at: www.bit.ly/DCCT-Kenya
Helping others is powerful. For Luke, it’s also healing. And in Kenya, he’s proving that when we show up for others, we often end up helping ourselves too.