A pioneering community initiative focused on improving men’s physical and mental health has made strides as its members step up to become walk leaders.

Menself+ was founded in 2015 to provide a supportive environment for men in Glasgow to explore and enhance their physical, emotional, and mental health.

The group offers support services through various activities, outings, and group chats. This includes regular health walks designed to reduce social isolation and improve fitness.

Glasgow Times:

Now, seven members of the group have taken on the key role of trained volunteer health walk leaders, to support those in need by providing safe and friendly walks in and around Glasgow. Thanks to these volunteers, Menself+ is now able to host three walks every week, welcoming around 12 walkers to each outing.

Iain Gair, from Shettleston, is one of the Menself+ volunteers who recently became a qualified walk leader after joining the group four years ago.

The 63-year-old said: “I was referred by my GP to Menself+ as I had been isolating myself from people. Jim Doherty, who founded Menself+, asked me to come along to one of the walks and I have been going out regularly since.

“I wanted to become a walk leader and take part in the training so I could be more confident in leading a group on a walk and it has taught me a lot. It makes me feel like I am a part of something, and gives me a chance to give back to the community and help others.

“My mental health has improved massively thanks to the programme. Being a health walk leader allows me to chat to others about any issues in my life, to discuss any problems that the group might be having, and to just be there for someone in need.”

Glasgow Times:

Harry Machon from Parkhead is also one of the Menself+ volunteers who stepped up to the Walk Leader role after joining the group six years ago.

The 74-year-old said: “Walking for our group is a great way for people like myself to get out and socialise. There are people from so many different walks of life who come out on our walks, and I’ve managed to make some terrific friendships along the way.

“If someone was on the fence about joining a Health Walk or thinking of becoming a walk leader, I would say get yourself out there and try it. We have a joke and a laugh: your ability doesn’t even matter because everyone takes it as their own pace.”

Glasgow Times: Menself

Glasgow Times:

The training for this role is provided by Scotland’s national walking charity, Paths for All, which supports a network of more than 800 short, social, and accessible walks led by trained volunteers.

The charity’s CEO Kevin Lafferty, said: “Volunteer Walk Leaders like Iain and Harry are the most integral part of a Health Walk and the time and care they give to the local communities that they serve is extremely valuable.

“Walking can bring a multitude of benefits. Not only can it significantly improve an individual’s physical and mental health, but it also provides an opportunity to get to know local areas better, help make new social connections and positively impact the environment.”

Since the end of the global pandemic, Paths for All has recorded a decline in walk leaders throughout Scotland. The Stirling-based organisation has launched a recruitment campaign to tackle the shortage and encourage Scots up and down the country to become volunteers in the Scottish health walk network.

Locals who wish to learn more about becoming a health walk volunteer or to register their interest can visit www.pathsforall.org.uk/volunteering