‘It changed my life’ Talk Club leader keen to help other men

/BRISTOL.LIVE

AMAN who received ‘lifechanging help’ from a support group for men after suffering a breakdown has set up a series of talk clubs across North Somerset.

Steve Barnard suffered a mental breakdown in 2018 and initially was given anti-depressants and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

After plucking up the courage to ask for additional help, Steve, an analyst for a supermarket chain, looked for a group where he could get support to help him rebuild his life. “I started on medication and CBT, but I felt that there was something missing to help with my recovery,” said Steve.

“It took a lot for me to reach out and look for additional support.”

After initially failing to find a suitable support group, a friend told him about Talk Club.

“He suggested I contact them, so I did and within four hours of my message, I had an email back.”

Steve, 55, attended his first Talk Club session at the For All Healthy Living Centre on Weston-superMare’s Bournville Estate in March 2020. “The first time I attended I was really anxious,” said Steve. “But I was quickly blown away by it all and what this organisation offered. After attending for four weeks, I started to feel different.” At the start of the Talk Club, attendees are asked to give a ‘score’ out of 10 of how they feel. The club talks about ways to promote mental fitness such as exercise, sleep and healthy eating. Those attending are also invited to share their feelings and talk about what they are grateful for.

A second ‘check out’ score is taken at the end of the meeting – with most attendees sharing an improvement in their feelings. After benefitting from Talk Club, Steve decided he wanted to help others and expand the initiative.

“I had been going for a year when the chap who was running them stood down and there was no one to take them over,” said Steve. “There was no Talk Club for a month and I really noticed the difference.”

Steve then trained as a Talk Club captain and in September 2021 took over the Weston session. “I could see from personal experience the difference the Talk Clubs made to me and others,” said Steve.

“So then I set on a mission to open others across North Somerset. As captains, we are not therapists or counsellors.

“We just listen and often that is all someone needs.”

Steve and a team of volunteers

Talk Club captain Steve Barnard

now run weekly Talk Clubs in Portishead, Clevedon, Weston, Nailsea and Backwell. There is also a Talk and Swim session at Clevedon Marine Lake each Saturday at 9.30am.

During 2022, 528 men attended one of the talk clubs across North Somerset. Talk Clubs are free and people are not asked to register.

“The Talk Club changed my life and I hope by extending the service and reaching out, we can offer the same to others.”

Talk Clubs are free and run from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Sessions are held at Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club on Mondays, the YMCA at Marson Road, Clevedon, on Tuesdays and at the Beacon Hub, Portishead, on Wednesdays and Hornets RFC on Thursdays.

❝ The Talk Club changed my life and I hope by extending the service and reaching out, we can offer the same to others