‘For Men To Talk’ CEO and founder Luke Newman on BBC Three Counties Radio twice over the festive period

Over the festive period, I had the pleasure of being invited onto BBC Three Counties Radio not once, but twice. It was a brilliant way to end the year and an exciting opportunity to talk about the plans for ‘For Men To Talk’ in 2026.

At a time when many people are switching off from social media, local radio is still on in cars, kitchens and workplaces. That is why it is so important for us not to rely only on Facebook, X or our website. Local radio reaches men who may never search for mental health support online, or who may not even realise they need it yet.

‘For Men To Talk’ is a peer support group for men who are suffering with a mental health illness, such as anxiety, depression and grief. We offer a safe and comfortable environment where men can talk openly without fear of judgement.

During my interviews on BBC Three Counties Radio, I shared how our support continues to grow. We now run monthly physical meetings, virtual meetings, walking groups and fishing sessions. Each one is designed to give men a choice. Some feel more comfortable sitting in a room. Others prefer talking side-by-side while walking or fishing. There is no right or wrong way.

Our conversations include many parts of a man’s life. We talk about work stress, relationships, anxiety, money worries and much more. There are no rules or regulations. There is no need to register and no referral is required. Men can talk as much as they like, or as little as they feel able to. Sometimes just listening can be the first step to feeling better.

Local radio plays a huge part in sharing this message. Not every man will follow a mental health page online. Not everyone wants to search the internet for help. But many will be listening to their local station while driving to work or cooking dinner. Hearing about ‘For Men To Talk’ in that familiar space can make it feel less scary and more normal.

“Local radio allows us to reach men who might never look for mental health support online. If even one man hears our story on the radio and decides to come along to a meeting, then it has been worth every minute.”

Looking ahead to 2026, our aim is simple. We want to continue growing our physical, virtual, walking and fishing meetings so that more men can access support in a way that suits them. We will keep working with local radio, community groups and partners to make sure our message reaches as many people as possible.

Mental health should not be hidden away. It should be talked about in our towns, villages, cars and homes. Thanks to BBC Three Counties Radio, we are doing just that.

If you’d like to find out more about ‘For Men To Talk’, visit www.formentotalk.co.uk, call 07709 446480, or email me directly at luke@formentotalk.co.uk.

‘For Men To Talk’ CEO Luke Newman talks to Roberto Perrone on BBC Three Counties Radio on 30 December 2025 via: https://youtu.be/Fw8QYh8O628

‘For Men To Talk’ CEO Luke Newman talks to Babs Michel on BBC Three Counties Radio on 1 January 2026 via: https://youtu.be/Njc6UxyFYdg