Wellness Walks with The Proper Blokes Club

Episode summary: Michael Shilling talks to Scott Oughton-Johnson, founder of The Proper Blokes Club, about how a single walk in Southwark in September 2020 grew into a network of 25 to 30 walk-and-talk groups for men across London. They discuss men's mental health, the power of walking side by side, how to start a new group, and plans for a new Pimlico walk as part of the London Walking Festival.Guest: Scott Oughton-Johnson, Founder, The Proper Blokes ClubRecorded: May 2026Key topics covered:Origin story: Scott's personal experience with mental health, getting NHS support, and realising that walking and talking to people he did not know was the combination he needed. The first walk in Southwark where only one person turned up 15 minutes late. The founding motto: if two turn up, the walk happens.Scale and ambition: Around 25 to 30 walks a week across 12 London boroughs, with plans to reach every borough. Registered as a Community Interest Company. Scott now works on the project full time.How the walks work: Informal format. Meet at a start point, walk for about an hour, no pressure to talk. Walking side by side and avoiding eye contact helps bring barriers down. No advice given, just listening and signposting to professional services.Who attends: Predominantly men aged 45 to 65. A mix of backgrounds. Common ground in shared experiences: family, relationships, work, money. Friendships that extend well beyond the walks themselves.Starting a new walk: One hour a week at a regular time. Scott recces the route, does risk assessments, runs a launch campaign, and attends the first walk. No red tape for volunteer-led walks.The magic number: Three is ideal for walking conversation. Two works, but three means the conversation can flow naturally even if one person is quieter.Seasonal patterns: Summer brings new members, winter is when people need it most. Men who discover the benefits in summer tend to keep coming through the colder months.Work-life balance: Scott working long days, learning to trust his walk leaders, and the quote from London National Park City: "A movement is not a movement until it moves on its own."Pimlico pilot: Eight walks funded as part of the London Walking Festival, stretching into June. Riverside route, well lit, with the aim of building a permanent group.Drop-in spaces: New daytime sessions for men who are less mobile, retired, unemployed, or on shift work. Dad's groups also running during the day.Links:The Proper Blokes Club: https://www.theproperblokesclub.co.ukFind a walk near you: https://www.theproperblokesclub.co.uk/walksLondon Walking Festival: https://nationalparkcity.london/london-walking-festivalLondon National Park City: https://nationalparkcity.londonThe Proper Blokes Club on the London Walking Festival: https://nationalparkcity.london/walk-talk-connect-join-the-proper-blokes-club-this-mayExplore more London National Park City Podcasts