Mental health group coffee van reaches 5,000 men

The van has been touring the region for more than a year

A mental health support group has managed to reach thousands of men with its coffee van.

Space North East, based in Sunderland, has been running sessions since 2022, but decided to hit the road in a bid to help even more people.

The van started touring the region in September 2024 and founder James Fildes said it had managed to reach about 5,000 men.

He said reaching so many people was a "dream come true".

"When you meet someone who's been through some hard times, but they're so accepting of what we're trying to do and so supportive, it means the world to us - it's a dream come true," Mr Fildes said.

The service travels to different employers around the North East several times a week and provides free coffee and a chat, along with information packs on where to find mental health support.

'It's what men need'

The group spoke to about 30 men over eight hours during a recent visit to Durham.

Liam Brolly was one of them and said men should be talking about their mental health more.

"It's just a conversation. We're having a coffee, standing around, having a chat," he said.

"It's what men need, it's what we should do.

"Speaking to James now was like speaking to a friend and I've only just met the lad."

Liam Brolly said there was a need to talk about mental health

Space North East counsellor Liam Gallagher said the message around men's mental health was starting to change.

"We are encouraging men to be vulnerable. You don't have to go to the far ends of what you're going through, but allow yourself to be seen," he said.

"We're trying to create a community and I find it really satisfying to see lads who've kind of slipped a little bit and we're there just to help them balance out and engage in various activities."

The organisation offers sessions including peer support, yoga and a walking group.

Mr Fildes, who spent 10 years living with depression, started the non-profit scheme after he recovered through counselling and lifestyle changes.

He said running the group had helped take him from "someone who's recovered from depression completely to another level".

"Now I get to support and provide a service that I would've needed myself back then," he added.