A new partnership programme designed to support men's mental health across Harrogate district has secured funding from David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.
The project, Route One Men: Early Intervention and Prevention for Men’s Mental Health, will be led by local mental health charity Mind in Harrogate District in partnership with Orb Community Arts, Wellspring Therapy and Training, and Claro Enterprises.
The initiative will provide early intervention and community-based support for men and masculine-identifying people, helping to tackle loneliness, stigma and barriers to seeking help.
Across England and Wales, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with the highest rates among middle-aged men.
Many men, particularly those who are self-employed, working in trades, or living in rural communities, often face additional barriers to accessing mental health support.
The Route One Men programme will address this through practical, male-friendly activities and outreach, designed to meet men where they are and provide support before problems escalate.
The programme will include:
- A creative outdoor health group delivered by Orb Community Arts
- Woodworking and woodturning courses delivered by Claro Enterprises
- Workplace outreach and trade breakfast events delivered by Wellspring Therapy and Training
- A weekly peer support group delivered by Mind in Harrogate District
Together, the programme is expected to support more than 220 men across the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency, with many participants continuing to engage with services and reporting improvements in wellbeing, reduced loneliness and increased confidence in seeking help.
Lucy Gifford, Head of Services at Mind in Harrogate District, said:
“We know that many men struggle in silence and often access support much later, sometimes when they are already in crisis.
"This funding allows us to reach men earlier and provide practical, welcoming spaces where they can connect with others and access the support they need.
"By working together as a partnership we can offer a joined-up pathway into support that includes community activities, peer groups and therapeutic help.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“The biggest killer of men under 50 is suicide, and that should stop us all in our tracks. After my dad died, I went through my own mental health challenges but I was fortunate to get the support I needed, but there are too many men with nowhere to turn to.
“By supporting the Route One Men: Early Intervention and Prevention for Men's Mental Health project, we’re helping to provide a place-based, preventative men's mental health programme in Harrogate District, offering early intervention through primary care referral and practical, community-led support.
“This is one of 23 projects we're funding today to give more men the space they need early on to prevent them from reaching a crisis point. This work is deeply personal to me, and as Mayor, I am determined to ensure this funding makes a real difference.”
Nick Garrett, Chief Executive at Wellspring Therapy and Training said:
"We recognise that for many tradespeople in our rural communities, the traditional 'office-based' counselling model simply doesn’t fit their reality.
"By bringing 'Mental Maintenance' directly to the builder’s merchant counter, we are breaking down the structural isolation that so often leads to burnout.
"This partnership isn't just about talking; it’s about providing the same high-quality care to self-employed builder that a corporate employee might receive, ensuring the backbone of our local economy stays both physically and mentally strong."
Owen at Claro Enterprises added:
“Claro Enterprises uses woodturning to create connection, bringing people together to work alongside one another in a practical, supportive environment.
“The hands-on nature of woodworking can be therapeutic, giving people space to focus, build confidence and regain a sense of purpose.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder at the lathe creates a setting where conversation happens more naturally-something many men find easier while doing something practical rather than sitting face to face.”
Delivery is expected to begin in spring 2026, with activities taking place across community venues, workplaces and rural settings across the district.
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