New charity uses outdoors to improve men's mental health

A new charity, Connect Outdoors, plans to use outdoor activities to improve men’s mental health and reduce isolation, with an official launch tied to International Men’s Day. The event will take place at the Venture Centre in Maughold, and organizers expect around 80 attendees to try activities including high ropes, bushcraft, mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, archery, ice baths and guided walks. The group says it wants research on which kinds of support men are more likely to engage with, arguing services often aren’t designed with men’s input. Attendees will complete surveys during Sunday’s program, with backing from figures such as Gary Thomas and Joshua Moore, who support initiatives aimed at encouraging conversations.