New men's mental health organisation wins award

The founder of an Exeter not-for-profit organisation that helps men with their mental health has won a National Wellbeing Award.

The Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards (run by Wellity) have recognised the impact Who Needs Instructions has made on men, their health and mental wellbeing too.

The organisation was launched by Matt Young in April 2023. The main aim of Who Needs Instructions is to get men talking more. Their work has seen them supporting a vast cross-section of men, from dads with their health, fitness, and the cost-of-living crisis, to WNI members who benefit from discounts locally as well as regular walks, breakfast, and numerous other social events. The organisation is also involved in a research project, whose aim is to engage men in healthcare more to help prevent men being top of the charts for illnesses.

Matt said: “I’ve always been a good communicator, so this felt like something I was compelled to do. Men tend to hold stuff inside rather than speak about the things that may be bothering them. I believe that’s no way to live your life, so I started Who Needs Instructions as a way of encouraging guys to be open and to show them that there is no harm in doing so.”

Men’s Health is poor in comparison to their female counterparts. And the suicide rates amongst men outstrip women by three to one. That’s not a statistic that us men should be proud of.

Matt added: “At Who Needs Instructions, we believe that by getting men talking more, it will help prevent men reaching crisis point. Men aren’t typically great at maintaining friendships once they leave education, so another factor we want to create is a brotherhood, a network of men who are there for each other and who support each other.”

Speaking about winning the award, Matt said “I’m blown away. I don’t even know who nominated me, but whoever you are, thank you. To be recognised for your work is always welcome, but to be given an award for it, by a global organisation like Wellity, is incredibly humbling.”

If any men are interested in the work we do at Who Needs Instructions, please look at the website for all our upcoming events and ways of getting involved.

Equally, if any organisations are interested in working with us, we’d love to hear from you too.