Just one year after first speaking with BBC CWR (Coventry & Warwickshire Radio) about a new idea to support men’s mental health through nature and connection, The Wild Wood Connection Project has celebrated a remarkable milestone.
The Stratford-upon-Avon-based community group has been awarded a £39,493 grant from Stratford Town Trust to expand its work supporting men’s mental health across the town and surrounding areas.
For a project that is only just over a year old, the award is a huge vote of confidence and recognition of the impact the group has already made within the local community.
It started as a weekly gathering to talk, without judging
What started as a simple weekly gathering around a fire on the Welcombe Hills has grown into a thriving community where men from every walk of life come together to talk, connect and support one another in a safe, welcoming environment without judgement.
Unlike many traditional support services, The Wild Wood Connection Project removes many of the barriers that can stop men asking for help. There are no assessments or waiting lists. Men simply turn up, share a walk, sit around the fire and talk if they choose to. There is no pressure to speak, no expectation to “fix” anyone and no judgement. Instead, the project focuses on building genuine friendships, restoring confidence and helping men rediscover purpose through nature, community and regular connection.
They just wanted to talk, and now support others
One of the clearest examples of the project’s impact can be found within its own team.
Treasurer Phil Harper and Secretary Nick Grey both first attended Wild Wood simply looking for somewhere to talk. Over the past year they became regular attendees, close friends and eventually volunteered to help shape the future of the organisation, taking on the roles of Treasurer and Secretary.
Their journeys reflect one of Wild Wood’s core beliefs, that when people feel connected, valued and given purpose, they often become the very people who go on to support others.
Throughout the past year, The Wild Wood Connection Project has worked alongside organisations including Mind and Samaritans, developed partnerships across the community and launched a powerful public art installation to raise awareness of men’s mental health and suicide. The installation continues to evolve and will return this year with an even greater community focus, encouraging conversations, sharing real stories and helping to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
A visit from the Mayor
The group’s growing reputation has also attracted the attention of local leaders and healthcare partners.
Last week, the newly appointed Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, Sam McNaught Barrow, attended one of the project’s Monday evening sessions after being invited to a community BBQ hosted in her honour. The visit gave her the opportunity to spend time around the fire with the men, hear their experiences first-hand and discuss ideas for strengthening local support.
One of the key conversations centred around creating stronger links with Jobcentre services, and helping men whose mental health has been affected by unemployment to access support earlier and to reconnect with opportunities for work, purpose and confidence.
Over the past year, Wild Wood’s growing community impact and strong relationships with local organisations have led to conversations with GP surgeries, Stratford Hospital and the Stratford Collaborative about becoming part of Stratford’s social prescribing network. As a result, healthcare professionals are now able to refer men experiencing loneliness, anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship breakdown, social isolation and other lower-level mental health challenges directly to the group as part of an early intervention approach.
Helping before a problem escalates
The project believes that helping men before problems escalate is one of its greatest strengths.
Rather than waiting until someone reaches crisis point, Wild Wood provides a welcoming, non-clinical environment where men can build friendships, regain confidence and find support long before specialist intervention may be needed. A conversation around a fire, meeting others with shared experiences or simply having somewhere to belong each week can often make the difference between someone coping and someone reaching crisis.
The new funding from Stratford Town Trust will allow the project to build on this success throughout 2026 and 2027, with a particular focus on reaching men who are often less likely to seek support. Plans include dedicated outreach to those working in the trades, blue light services and farming communities, where mental health challenges can often go unseen.
Alongside this, the project will continue developing its community programme through monthly Social Saturdays, introducing men to local activities, hobbies and experiences across Stratford-upon-Avon. Whether it’s trying something completely new or rediscovering an old interest, the aim is simple: help men reconnect with themselves, others and their community.
The funding will also support volunteer development, outreach, training, and resources needed to safely accommodate increasing numbers of referrals while ensuring the group remains completely free and accessible to every man who needs it.
Without this funding, the future growth of the project would have remained uncertain. Like many grassroots community organisations, Wild Wood relied on being funded by its founder to get it started, heavily on the goodwill of volunteers, small donations and the personal commitment of those involved. While the weekly sessions would have continued, opportunities to expand, reach more men and respond to increasing demand would have been significantly limited. The grant provides the stability needed to build for the future rather than simply survive.
Weekly talking is at the heart of the group’s efforts to help
At the heart of everything remains the weekly talking group.
Every Monday evening, men of all ages and backgrounds meet on the Welcombe Hills. There is no referral, no waiting list and no cost. Just a welcoming fire, a cup of tea, nature and a safe space where conversations happen naturally. Whether someone wants to speak about the biggest challenges in their life or simply enjoy the company of others, everyone is welcome.
Jonathan Toney, founder of The Wild Wood Connection Project, said:
When we did our first BBC CWR interview last August, we were just beginning our journey. To now be standing here just over a year later with this incredible support from Stratford Town Trust is something we’re immensely proud of.
This funding isn’t just recognition of what we’ve achieved,it’s recognition of every man who’s had the courage to come along, share his story and support someone else.
The conversations we’re now having with local leaders, GP surgeries and Stratford Hospital show that people are recognising the value of community-led support. Becoming part of the social prescribing pathway means more men can access support before they reach crisis point, and that’s where I believe our greatest strength lies.
Most men don’t wake up one day in crisis. It builds over weeks, months or years. If we can provide somewhere they feel comfortable coming before everything becomes overwhelming, we have a genuine opportunity to change lives.
When people ask me what success looks like, I think of Phil and Nick. They first came to Wild Wood looking for support, friendship and somewhere they could be themselves. Today they’re our Treasurer and Secretary, helping shape the future of the organisation so other men can experience the same sense of belonging they found.
That sums up everything Wild Wood is about. It’s not about professionals fixing people; it’s about people finding connection, confidence and purpose, then helping others do the same.
We want every man to know there’s a place where they can simply turn up, be themselves and know they’re not alone. Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods, a cup of tea around the fire and someone willing to listen.
Sometimes you don’t realise you needed something until you have it
Phil Harper, Treasurer, said:
It’s been a pleasure over the last year to journey alongside such a variety of guys and share their stories. Sometimes you don’t realise you needed something in your life until you have it.
I couldn’t imagine my life without Wild Wood and all the friendships I’ve made through it. It’s changed my life in so many ways,helping me understand myself and others better, giving me the confidence to come out of my shell and discover who I am and who I can be.
The idea behind Wild Wood is incredibly simple: a group of men gathering around a fire to talk honestly about how they really are. The idea may be simple, but the impact is deep and far-reaching, affecting not just those who attend, but their families, friends, work colleagues and the wider community. I’m excited to see what the years ahead will bring.
No pressure, no stigma and no agenda
Nick Grey, Secretary, added:
I think the accessibility of the group is what makes it so important. There’s no pressure, no stigma and no agenda,just a group of men meeting each week to share a brew and a conversation in peaceful woodland surroundings.
Having that regular opportunity to offload, especially for someone who’s feeling isolated or going through a difficult period, can make an enormous difference.
Looking ahead we’ve got campfire breakfasts, woodturning sessions, a camping weekend and plenty more opportunities to bring people together. Most importantly, we’ll continue growing the group and reaching out to any man who needs somewhere to talk.
The Wild Wood Connection Project hopes its story will encourage other communities to recognise that meaningful mental health support doesn’t always have to happen within four walls. Sometimes it begins with connection, nature and a community determined that no man should have to struggle alone.
**Every Monday evening**
Welcombe Hills, Stratford-upon-Avon
Free to attend. No booking required. No referral needed.
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