Men's Peer Support Group Our next peer group meeting is next Thursday 29th October, again at @marriotts_warehouse_trust from 7pm As always this group is a non judgemental safe space for men to be able to connect, chat and listen - there is no pressure for anyone to talk, if just being with the group is a help then that is fine. You will be made more than welcome as we know that often the first steps to coming along can be the hardest ones. Refreshments provided Let's keep talking...

We are pleased to announce that we have been chosen as a Local Cause as part of the @coopuk Local Community Fund for 2026-27. You can help raise funds for the Foundation by choosing us as your Local Cause and when you shop at the Co-op you will donate to us. We are raising funds to support Wellbeing Activity days and weekends, providing a safe space for men to connect in nature. You can choose the Foundation by clicking on the link below, making sure you are signed into your Co-op members account and selecting us membership.coop.co.uk/causes… If you are not a member then you can sign up on the link below and then you can choose us as your Local Cause. coop.co.uk/membership This covers both Co-op stores and Funeral Services We would be grateful for your support! Let's keep talking...

Men's Time Fishing Saturday saw our last Fishing session of the season. Another positive morning spent in blue space, relaxing and distressing and some great chats Our thanks to all the Lakes that have hosted us this season @dentsfarmfishery Blissful Fishery Lords Lake & A private lake which invited us. We held 6 sessions this summer with 59 attendees. We will be announcing our 2027 plans and dates in the new year, see you all next March. Let's keep talking, every conversation matters...

As part of our partnership with @officialKLtown our team attended the @Buxton_FC match to raise awareness and support for men's mental health on World Mental Health Day last Saturday. It was really positive to have a number of discussions with people about what the 8:56 does and our work in the community. Thank you to the clubs and player for their continued support by wearing our It's Time To Talk T Shirts in the warm-up. Great to see our committee member Tash as Larry The Linnet! Thanks to WWSA as always for the donation of shirt sponsorship Let's keep talking...

Thank you... We visited the @porterhouse_kl back in September to collect an amazing £875.22 from various fundraising activities they had been doing - including the sale of pickled eggs! Thank you to everyone at the Porterhouse for your generous donation it will help fund 25 counselling sessions providing space for men to be able to talk without judgement. It's amazing fundraising such as this which helps us to continue to support men's mental health Pictured are Ted from the Powerhouse alongside committee member @HornigoldWayne Let's keep talking...8

Today is World Mental Health Day and we will have our stand at this afternoons match Vs @buxton_fc , we will be there to have a chat about the Foundation, men's mental health and working with @officialKLtown The shirts, thanks to Tony & Karen Stevens of WWSA, will carry the Time To Talk message. In a recent industry article Tony said "Scaffolding is still a predominantly male industry and men aren’t always particularly good at saying when something isn’t right. Whether you’re working on site, managing people or running a business, there can be significant pressures. Traditionally there’s also been an attitude of just getting on with things. We need people to know that saying you’re struggling or asking for help isn’t a weakness. not satisfied with the first answer someone gives you, ask again." And from our visit to the players in September, the manager Paul Caddis emphasised "Not everyone shows when they’re struggling. Ask how they really are. Ask twice. Ask three times. Ask four times. Keep asking. Keep talking.” At 8;56, we believe that no one should feel like they have to face things alone. We create spaces where men can talk, connect, be heard and support one another - without judgement and without having to pretend that everything is okay. You don’t need the perfect words. You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes, simply being there and listening is enough. Check in on your mates. Start the conversation. Listen without judgement. Keep showing up. And that's what we will be doing today and everyday...

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 💚 Behind every statistic is a person. Behind every person is a story. And every story deserves to be heard. Mental health isn’t the same for everyone. We experience difficult days differently, we cope differently, and sometimes we hide what we’re going through from the people closest to us. That’s why listening matters. At 8:56, we believe some of the most important conversations happen when people feel able to be themselves, speak honestly and know that someone is genuinely listening. We create spaces where men can talk, connect and support one another, without judgement and without feeling they have to pretend everything is okay. But change doesn’t just come from encouraging people to speak. It comes from hearing them. From listening to their experiences. Learning from them. And making sure those experiences help shape the support, communities and conversations we create. You don’t need the perfect words. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just make time. Ask the question. Really listen. And keep showing up. And if you’re struggling yourself, remember that your story matters too. You deserve to be heard, supported and reminded that you don’t have to face everything alone. Let’s listen more. Let’s understand better. Let’s turn conversations into change #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #856Foundation #ItsTimeToTalkDifferently

We know the Cricket season is over, but it's a great time to think about needing a new (to you) bat for next season And the great thing is you can support the 8:56 Foundation at the same time The team at The Badger Boys are selling lovingly restored and refurbished bats and are making a donation from each sale to the Foundation! You'll have a lovely 8:56 Bat Sticker sent with your bat, we'd love you to pop on your bat to support and raise awareness for men's mental health If your sticker sparks just one conversation what an amazing thing that would be! Link to the EBay shop below. ebay.co.uk/usr/thebadgerboys…

🎣 Men’s Time Fishing Come join us for our final Fishing session of the year. You can look forward to a brilliant morning at a brand‑new lake to us , surrounded by blue space, calm water and good company and we can’t wait to welcome you. These mornings are built around connection, fresh air and the kind of conversation that flows easier with a fishing rod in your hand. Whether you’ve been with us before or you’re trying fishing for the very first time, you’ll be made to feel right at home. And if you’re new — don’t worry about kit. We’ll have everything you need. It’s all about getting out of the house, enjoying the water and spending time together in a relaxed, supportive environment. There's better way to spend a Saturday morning. 🗓 Date: Saturday 17th October 📍 Location: Blissful Fishery - Lords Lane Lake Wisbech St Mary 🕗 Time: 8am – 1pm 🎣 Open to all abilities 💷 Free to attend Fishing is part of our Wellbeing Pathway — helping men make new connections, try new activities and support their wellbeing. Our Facilitators will be there throughout the morning. 👇 Book your place using the link below 856foundation.org.uk/mens-ti… #MensTimeFishing #BlueSpace #Connection #Wellbeing

Last Thursday we held our monthly support group @marriotts_warehouse_trust . Our guests were Lily , Evie & their Mum. They lost their Dad and Husband to suicide and they wanted to share their experience of the impact this had on them, their family, their relationships,their lives moving forward from that day. It was a really powerful, emotional and positive evening - the impact of lived experience. There were 24 of us in the room, I don't think any of us will forget the conversations we had. The reason we left this post til today is that October is the month of World Mental Health Day, the 10th. The theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change” Conversations about mental health make a difference. And they matter most when we listen to people’s experiences. Let's keep talking...

Rob at Mayhem Ink by robs tattoo has created a Charity Tattoo Event on 10–11th October, offering a select range of designs - including the 8:56 Foundation logo - dedicated to raising awareness for men’s mental health. Each tattoo is £40, with £20 from every piece donated directly to the 8:56 Foundation — helping us fund our Wellbeing Pathway and Talking Therapy counselling, giving men the space to talk, heal, and find support when they need it most. If you’d like to get involved, you can find Mayhem Ink at the Hand Me Up Warehouse on Austin Fields. Your tattoo could be the start of a conversation that can make a difference Let's keep talking...