Barbershops and Football Clubs Boost Men’s Health

Quick Smiles:

• Premier League clubs are connecting fans with mental health support on matchdays.
• Barbers in south London are trained to check blood pressure, catching risks early.
• Community relationships are helping reach men who often avoid routine health checks.

Across the UK, new initiatives are reaching men in places where they feel comfortable, such as football stadiums and barbershops, to improve health outcomes and encourage conversations about wellbeing.

Premier League clubs and the Samaritans have joined forces to engage fans, offering on-site support and highlighting the importance of talking about mental health, especially suicide prevention.

“If we have one person that takes advantage of that matchday support, and it leads to them still being here in 12 months’ time when they wouldn’t otherwise have been, then that has to be a success.”

These efforts aim to address stubborn statistics showing men are at greater risk of suicide and often die earlier than women due to health conditions they are less likely to seek help for.

Beyond stadiums, barbershops across south London have become hubs for health advocacy, with barbers like Julian Appiah-Koduah providing not only a friendly chat but also blood pressure checks thanks to special training.

“That was the plan, to make you feel like you’re at home,” Appiah-Koduah explains about his welcoming atmosphere.

The program, inspired by similar projects in Los Angeles, is supported by local universities and charities, ensuring people get vital health information and links to further care.

As nurse and professor Nicola Thomas shares, “We’ve got to go to people – we can’t expect them to come to us in the NHS.”

Through trusted relationships, whether during a trim or a football match, these projects are helping men stay healthier and seek support earlier.

Let’s celebrate the everyday places and people helping men open up about their health, showing that care and community can make a real difference.

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