INTREPID walkers will be tackling all or part of the West Mendip Way Walk, a challenging 30-mile trek from Uphill to Wells, on August 25 to raise funds for Heads Up.
The walk is being organised by Chris Young, owner of Wolf Barbers in Broad Street, Wells, and Neil Winterson, one of Chris’ clients for a number of years, who has a security company based in Bristol.
Neil is also one of the organisers for the Wells Chapter of the Men’s Walking and Talking group that meets at St Cuthbert’s Church on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.
The pair have become friends, and are strong supporters of Heads Up and the work that the South-Horrington-based mental health charity carries out in the local community.
“I have been helping to support Heads Up for several years now. They are a fantastic charity who do amazing things for our local community,” said Chris.
“Having been barbering in Wells for nearly 18 years now, I have met loads of people, mainly men, who have been struggling with mental health issues – even more so since the pandemic.
“The suicide rate across Britain has risen since 2019 and it is the biggest killer of people under 45. Anxiety is something that we have noticed a rise in in the barbershop too, with more people opening up to us about it, we are able to help make things easier for them and also recognise the signs in others.
“In 2022, my shop manager Becky and I went on a day course with Weston College to learn more about mental health. This was a bespoke course that was just for us, and helped by another customer of ours who owns a business in Bristol, it gave us a greater understanding of what to look for, how we can deal with the situations and help make things more comfortable and easier for our customers.
“It’s this knowledge that has made mental health and wellbeing a major focus for us at Wolf Barbers.”
The walk on August 25 will start at 7am in Uphill. There are five stages, and so far about 25 people have signed up to do the walk, their ages ranging from eight to 60; some will be completing the whole 30 miles, and some doing just one or two stages. The final group of walkers is expected to arrive at Wells Cathedral at about 7pm.
Everyone is welcome on the walk, not just men.
One of the walkers is Sandra Temple, Dementia Care Co-ordinator for the West Mendip Primary Care Network, which includes the two doctors’ practices in Wells. She said of Heads Up: “I have had numerous patients who have attended and greatly benefitted from the social interaction and activities it provides.”
The walk will be followed by an after-party at the Wookey Hole Inn (starting at 6pm). There will be food, drinks, live music, a raffle, and an auction, all aimed at boosting the fundraising efforts.
A ‘Wild Men of Wookey Hole’ fundraiser at the Wookey Hole Inn in 2021, which included a head-shaving challenge conducted by Wolf Barbers, raised more than £6,000 for Heads Up.
To take part, contact Chris and Neil by emailing mendiphike@gmail.com
Donations can be made through the Heads Up website: www.headsupsomerset.org.uk