Bereaved men opening up at ‘Grieving Pint’ sessions

With the tagline “talking today to save tomorrow”, the community interest company aims to change how young men view themselves, their mental health, and those around them.

It was designed to start conversations by providing men with the confidence and space to open up, with the intention of ending the “silent struggle” which many face.

Sessions began at pubs in Bristol, before expanding to Bath, Exeter and Swansea.

Alcohol is optional at the sessions, and the organisers say they encourage responsible drinking.

Manny, who studies at the University of Bath, joined the team in September.

“If we can target men within the situations where they don’t feel pressured to feel okay and don’t have to feel like they have that guard up, that’s where we really want to focus.

“That’s where we’ve seen our great success, where men feel like they’re able to open up over a pint with a friend,” he said.

“Life is difficult. There’s going to be stresses, but the added stress of looking okay and feeling okay when in reality you’re not – that’s what we’re trying to change.”

Ben said: “It’s a really nice feeling that I’ve done something positive and am helping those around me, especially helping people similar to myself.

“It’s had a much wider impact than what I thought.

“It’s hard to measure the success sometimes, and I forget that it is something that I founded and it’s gone well.

“Sometimes I don’t realise that as much as I maybe should.”