Men to share stories of grief on charity walk

Two men stand together on a field. They both are wearing caps, backpacks and black T-shirts which say 'Men's walk to support' over long-sleeved jumpers. They are standing in front of people who are gathered by a purple gazebo which says 'Dorothy House'. — Image caption,

This year marks the 10th annual Men’s Walk to Support event

Dawn Limbu

BBC News, West of England

Hundreds of men from Somerset and Wiltshire are being encouraged to share their experiences of grief and bereavement on an eight-mile (12km) charity walk.

Dorothy House Hospice Care is hosting its annual ‘Men’s Walk to Support’ to raise funds to help the charity continue to provide free end-of-life care.

The walk on 8 March will take participants from the charity’s hospice in Winsley, Wiltshire, to Bath Pavillion in Somerset.

Dan Varley, community and events fundraiser, said the walk can be really “powerful” for men who have experienced bereavement.

Three men smile at the camera as they walk by a river. Two of them raise their hands in the air and they wear T-shirts which say 'Men's walk to support'. There is a small group of men walking behind them. — Image caption,

The walk offers a safe space for men to connect with eachother

The charity provides free palliative end-of-life care to more than 550,000 people in Bath and North East Somerset, and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.

The walk and talk event, which has been running for the past 10 years, allows men to share their lived experiences of grief and bereavement.

“We’ve had men come to the hospice since the death of a loved one, to take part in the men’s walk, and that can be really powerful for them,” said Mr Varley.

“We know that creating those spaces is really important, particularly for men who don’t want to come to our traditional counselling sessions.”

A group of men walking by a river. Four of the men are wearing black T-shirts which say Men's Walk to Support — Image caption,

More than 500 men turned up for the walk in 2024

Last year’s event saw a record-breaking 550 men take part, raising £105,000 for the hospice.

The charity hopes to surpass that this year as its annual costs are expected to hit £19m in the next financial year.

“We know that family members of people who are experiencing end-of-life care can have a really tough time and that’s why we look after the patients,” said Mr Varley.

“But we’re also there to support the families. And we know that a lot of our patients prefer to die at home, and in that comfortable setting.”

The funds raised from the walk will contribute towards funding community care, their inpatient unit and providing counselling sessions.

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Men to share stories of grief on charity walk