Steve and Kevan are the walk leaders for Stratford.

Bio for Steve. I work full time in adult social care and part-time for a few hours a week in the evenings and weekends doing support work.

I’ve experienced my own mental health challenges and low points in my life particularly when going through difficult times including divorce, breakdown of relationships, losing my job, being unemployed, losing both my parents and a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I’ve also experienced the challenges poor mental health brings in both a close family and professional capacity, so I think it’s fair to say I’ve a good and varied understanding of it’s devastating and debilitating effects.

Whenever I did hit a low mood, people close to me, especially partners, would often ask me “has something happened?” and “what exactly is getting you down?” to which the answer often was “no, nothing specific” and “I’ve absolutely no idea”!

From nowhere the dark clouds and low mood would descend and I’d find myself in a dark place where every issue/problem in my life would overwhelm me.

It took a while to find what works for me to combat the demons, but I’m now a big believer in self-help strategies and getting yourself out there, sharing your story and experiences with good people who are prepared to listen, learning from others and making positive changes in your life, however small and insignificant they might seem at the time.

My philosophy is one day at a time and one brick at a time!

Like others, having seen the growth in popularity of the Men Walking And Talking movement on Facebook, I reached out to Mark, one of the walk leaders and directors of MWAT, to ask if we could look into starting a group in Stratford-upon-Avon, the idea being to share this opportunity to other local men that perhaps have either not seen or been able to attend the other local groups for whatever the reason.

A few months later after meeting Mark and Guy at the Warwick group, here we are, ready and raring to go!

Please come and join us if you can; let’s walk, talk and support each other as well as ourselves!

Bio for Kevan.

I’m a retired project manager and aspiring author, recently returned to my hometown of Stratford after 23 years in Ottawa, Canada. I came back to reconnect with my family and rediscover my roots — I missed the place.

I’ve lived with depression most of my life, though many wouldn’t know it. I became skilled at hiding it. My mental health struggles began around age five, when school bullying — physical and emotional — took its toll. That trauma made it hard to form friendships or consider relationships. I focused instead on work and stayed single, burying my pain.

Over time, I made friends through work, but depression would still return in waves. During the darkest times, I’d isolate, using drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, pushing even family away. Things worsened after my mother passed from cancer — I came close to giving up entirely. A close friend from school helped pull me back from that edge, and I began to consider a future again.

That’s when I moved to Canada — a chance to reset. My loved ones didn’t fully understand, but they hadn’t seen the struggle behind my smile. Canada offered a fresh start. I built a career, started my first relationship, and found some peace. But eventually, cracks appeared again. After a failed relationship and a deep spiral, I realized I needed help.

Therapy was tough — it took four therapists and three years to find the right one. But it changed my life. Even after returning to the UK, we still talk regularly. With time, I began to unpack my past and reshape how I cope.

Looking to connect locally, I discovered Men Walking and Talking (MWAT). I was nervous at first, but the group welcomed me warmly. I’ve attended weekly for five months now, and it’s made a real difference. I’ve made new friends and found a safe space to walk, talk, or just be.

Please come along — connect with others, support your mental well-being, and enjoy the beauty of Stratford.