A TALK Club established in September is helping men in and around Taunton with their mental health.
Taunton Talk Club takes place on a fortnightly basis on Thursdays at Somerset County Cricket Club. It is run by Kameron Kelly and Alistair Davies, with the aim of helping men to improve their mental fitness.
Talk Club is a national charity which provides a structure to each talking group session and begins by asking men to score their mental wellbeing out of 10 (1 being rock bottom and 10 being on top of the world). Participants can say as much or as little as they want to.
For Kameron, the founding of Taunton Talk Club has been very beneficial. He said: “We started Talk Club in September, based on my own personal experiences through life. Rather than let it eat me away, I’ve used the feelings and turned it into an energy to help and support other men.”
“I get a lot from it myself, listening to other people’s stories. We get lots of people who attend at a score of 5 and leave at a score of an 8. They don’t leave alone; they are given mutual support.”
“Stepping through the door is the hardest thing, but everyone is so welcoming.”
There are four questions in total, with a refreshment break in the middle. Tea, coffee and snacks are provided, all with the aim to create a relaxing environment.
Alistair Davies said: “Everyone is on their own mental health journey through life, and the role of Talk Club is to help people on their journey.”
“What Talk Club gives is a straightforward structure that allows men to open up about how they’re feeling. The simple score out of 10 at the beginning and end of the session is a good way to get the conversation started. There is a focus on what we can all do to help ourselves and others.”
On average, a Talk Club talk and listen group raises a man’s mental fitness by over 15%.
Taunton Talk Club takes place at Somerset County Cricket Club from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on a fortnightly basis. There are signs directing participants to the room.
Due to the Christmas period, the next session will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024. To find out more, visit Talk Club – Taunton on Facebook, or contact: taunton.talkclub@gmail.com. You can also learn more about Talk Club by visiting: https://talkclub.org/
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