In a truly inspiring display of dedication, Manbassadors from Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds service embarked on an epic 55-kilometer charity run across Leeds, conquering all 11 parkruns in under 12 hours and raising £1,400 for local men’s support groups. This incredible feat, part of a broader initiative championed by figures like Councillor Paul Wray and Victoria Eaton, highlights Leeds‘ proactive commitment to shattering stigmas and fostering open dialogues around men’s vital physical and mental health, ensuring every man receives the “right help at the right time”.
How is Leeds promoting men’s health through initiatives like Manbassadors?
Leeds promotes men’s health by supporting programmes such as Manbassadors, where male ambassadors encourage open discussions about health, raise awareness, and direct men to support services. These initiatives break down stigmas, foster wellbeing, and support men across mental and physical health issues.
Menbassadors Take the Lead for Men’s Health in Leeds
A dedicated group of ‘Manbassadors’ from Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds service sprinted into action for men’s health by conquering a unique charity challenge. On a single day, the team completed the rigorous feat of running all 11 five-kilometre parkruns across Leeds, covering a total distance of 55 kilometres in less than 12 hours. This ambitious event, which raised £1,400 for local men’s support groups, drew attention to the importance of men’s health during Men’s Health Awareness month in November.
The Manbassadors programme forms part of a wider national initiative designed to foster a male-friendly culture of wellbeing, particularly in the workplace. By engaging colleagues and opening up conversations around health issues, the programme aims to break longstanding taboos surrounding men seeking help. Neil Jones, a member of the Active Leeds development team and one of the runners, shared, “I’m passionate about men’s health and believe early intervention is key to making the biggest impact. Our small team of 12 active ‘men’s health ambassadors’ was set up in May 2024 to provide a crucial listening and signposting service and so far we’ve supported around 50 colleagues on a whole range of health issues.”
The run began at 6am in Wetherby and concluded just before 6pm in Middleton, testing the stamina and spirit of all participants. “We just wanted to undertake a challenge worthy of attracting important sponsorship funds to help the local men’s health organisations we signpost people to,” Jones explained. “We really enjoyed it – although it was a lot tougher than we thought.” The event underscored the importance of solidarity and action in driving awareness and funding for men’s health initiatives.
Addressing the Men’s Health Crisis
The urgency behind campaigns like Manbassadors is underscored by alarming statistics highlighted in the government’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy, published in 2024. The strategy reports that men live, on average, almost four years fewer than women. In addition, 36% of male deaths occur before the age of 75. The mental health crisis is stark, with three in four deaths by suicide in 2024 being men. Cardiovascular health remains a challenge, as 69% of under-75 cardiovascular disease deaths are male.
For those interested, the full strategy can be viewed at the UK Government Men’s Health Strategy. Public health leaders and senior councillors in Leeds have welcomed the publication of this strategy, recognising it as a long-overdue step in formally prioritising men’s health on a national level.
Leeds’s response to these challenges is multifaceted. The city’s ongoing commitment to addressing men’s health is reflected through strategic projects that create supportive environments for men to speak out about their mental and physical wellbeing. Programmes like Manbassadors not only raise awareness but also bridge the gap between men and vital support services, ensuring men receive “the right help at the right time.”
Building a Structure for Intervention and Support
Leeds City Council’s approach to men’s health is rooted in research and community engagement. In 2016, a landmark report titled ‘The State of Men’s Health in Leeds’ was commissioned from Leeds Beckett University. This foundational study brought together a range of stakeholders to collectively improve health and wellbeing outcomes for men across the city. It set the groundwork for future initiatives and the creation of enduring partnerships dedicated to men’s wellness.
A prominent example of these collaborative efforts is the Men’s Health Unlocked partnership. Bringing together local charities and council departments, this initiative seeks to empower and support people working with men in Leeds. Activities under this partnership include:
- Running bespoke men’s health sessions at community venues and workplaces
- Publishing a city-wide magazine, providing relevant news and health information for local men
- Organising the thriving Northern Man Festival, a bi-annual event showcasing organisations, artists, and academics, now attracting over 3,000 attendees
These wide-ranging activities serve to break down barriers and make vital health information more accessible across the city. The multifaceted engagement also strengthens referral pathways to professional support, helping to tackle pressing health issues in a proactive manner. More information about this innovative programme can be found at Men’s Health Unlocked – Forum Central.
Recognition, Advocacy, and Continuing Progress
The focused work in Leeds has been recognised at the national level. Leeds City Council was among the local authorities invited to give evidence at the UK Parliament’s health and social care committee’s inquiry into men’s health. The council also made a written submission to the Department of Health and Social Care during the drafting of the national men’s health strategy, demonstrating its ongoing influence and leadership in this field.
Councillor Paul Wray, Leeds City Council’s lead member for men’s health – believed to be the only role of its kind within English local authorities – commented, “Men’s health has been a priority in Leeds for a number of years and we welcome the government formally focusing on the issue in this new strategy. We know there are many barriers facing men when it comes to their physical and mental health and are fully committed to tackling these in Leeds to make it easier for men to speak up. Like Men’s Health Unlocked and our incredible Manbassadors at Active Leeds show, it’s so important to open up the conversation and give everyone the chance to get the right help at the right time.”
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, also welcomed the strategy, stating, “There are differences in health needs for men, women, boys and girls and identifying and reducing these is a long-held commitment in Leeds; reflected in the different strategies we have across the city. This city is home to incredible organisations working to improve health and wellbeing for men and together we are committed to ensuring both men’s and women’s health needs are actively prioritised and met.”
For more details on the Manbassadors at Active Leeds, visit Active Leeds Manbassador Programme.
For media enquiries, Leeds City Council communications and marketing may be contacted via email at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by telephone on 0113 378 6007.
- Manbassadors from Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds completed a 55-kilometer charity run across Leeds, conquering all 11 parkruns in under 12 hours.
- The charity run raised £1,400 for local men’s support groups, highlighting the importance of men’s health during Men’s Health Awareness month.
- The Manbassadors program aims to foster a male-friendly culture of wellbeing, break down stigmas, and provide a listening and signposting service for men’s health issues.
- Urgency for initiatives like Manbassadors is underscored by statistics from the UK government’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy, reporting that men live almost four years fewer than women and have higher rates of death before 75 and suicide.
- Leeds City Council has implemented a multifaceted approach to men’s health, including the ‘The State of Men’s Health in Leeds’ report and the Men’s Health Unlocked partnership, which organizes community sessions, a city-wide magazine, and the Northern Man Festival.