Fatherhood can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also feel challenging or lonely. Through its Dad Walk initiative, The Mandem is creating space for fathers to connect, share experiences and discover that they don’t have to navigate parenthood alone.
This World Mental Health Day 2026 centres on the theme: “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” highlighting the vital role of people with lived experience in shaping mental health policy, services, and community support.
We spoke to Patrick Penny-Annang, father of two and community organiser who helps bring men together through The Mandem, to find out why these connections matter – and how something as simple as walking together can make a real difference.
Right now the walks are paused, because they need funding for the food that brings dads together.
“Having that community where you’re sharing what’s going on, so you don’t feel alone, so you don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong.”
There is a familiar saying that it takes a village to raise a child. But what happens when the village is missing, disconnected, or when the dads doing the raising feel they have nowhere to turn? That is where The Mandem comes in.
Founded in 2018 by award-winning artist Francis Augusto, founder of Studio Augusto (www.francisaugusto.co.uk/ @__studioaugusto), with early support from his good friend Patrick, The Mandem was created to give men a safe, non-judgemental space to talk, connect and support one another. Its approach is simple but powerful: build trust, celebrate each other’s wins and share opportunities. The group has grown mainly through WhatsApp and word of mouth. Building a website is their next step, so that more men can find it.
It is a community built on relationships, where men can show up as they are, without pressure to have all the answers.
“There’s no agenda…We support each other through hard times, celebrate the good times, and when you’re feeling a bit lonely, have questions or whatever it is really going on in your mind – the WhatsApp group and these Link-Ups are places to do that.”
Finding your village
The Mandem’s Dads Who Walk initiative brings fathers together in Islington for a relaxed walk, a shared meal and an opportunity to connect with other dads. Based in Islington and initially supported through a participatory budgeting process, the initiative recognises something that can easily get lost amid the practicalities of parenting: dads need support, too.
“It can be really isolating once you have a kid… in the mad and wonderful journey of being a parent.”
As The Mandem understands, connection does not always begin with a big conversation. Sometimes, it begins simply by turning up. However, walking together offers an accessible way to start those conversations. There is no pressure to sit in a circle, make eye contact or know exactly what to say. Instead, dads can walk side by side, allowing conversations to unfold naturally, at their own pace.
“The key thing that always comes up when we speak to people is that they don’t just have that freedom and space to talk freely – and feel comfortable talking freely.”
The Mandem Link-Ups
The Dad Walk is part of a wider approach to men’s wellbeing that recognises there is no single way to encourage people to open up. Through its Link-Up sessions at Better Space (previously held at The Ministry), supported by Islington Giving’s Make It Happen Fund, The Mandem creates opportunities for men to come together in small groups of around six people. Sessions can include films exploring masculinity and mental health, shared food and confidential check-ins.
“The values are really simple: support, large up, celebrate each other’s wins and share opportunities, and we do that within the group.”
From games nights to exercise sessions, Link-Up sessions offer different ways for men to build trust and get to know one another in a safe and confidential setting without the formality that can sometimes make traditional talking groups feel intimidating.
“Link-ups is based on watching a good movie focused on mental health and masculinity. It could be fatherhood, brotherhood, friendship. And we have some food together because food is such a great connector… we try and keep it quite small, so it’s easier for you to talk. If it’s in a big group it’s quite hard to express your feelings. Well some people find it easy, but we want to make it a bit easier for everyone to do that.”
The aim is not to replace professional mental health support but to help men navigate these challenges and access the right support. Members of The Mandem, including Francis, have mental health first aid training and encourage people to seek professional help when they need it. Ultimately, the group provides a supportive community where men can feel heard, share what is happening in their lives and realise they do not have to deal with everything alone.
The power of finding a space where you belong
For Patrick, finding this kind of support was particularly significant following a mental health breakdown in 2016. Patrick first came across The Mandem on Instagram drawn in by the Francis photography, and the concept. It was exactly the kind of space he was looking for.
“I had a mental health breakdown in 2016…I wasn’t really looking after my mental health when I was growing up. It wasn’t really talked about. It wasn’t a hot topic in that way. So, following that breakdown, it really forced me to look at what I can do for myself and what I should be doing… When I first came across The Mandem, I thought, ‘Oh that’s excellent! Like, this is exactly the kind of space I’m looking for.'”
Patrick’s experience speaks to the importance of spaces where men feel able to acknowledge when things are difficult, without fear of judgement. Wellbeing is shaped by more than what happens inside our own heads; our relationships, circumstances and sense of belonging matter, too.
Keeping the door open for dads
The Dad Walk initiative has already received support through a participatory budgeting process in Islington, where local residents chose which community projects to support. However, the project is currently paused while The Mandem seeks additional funding to cover the food provided at sessions. With the right support, the Dad Walk can continue creating opportunities for fathers to meet, build friendships and find reassurance in a community of people who understand their experiences.
The Mandem are looking for partners or funders so the food at the Dad Walk can be free for dads. If you or your organisation could help make that happen, we’d love to hear from you.
Want to see what a Link-Up is like? Join The Mandem at the next Link-Up at Better Space. All who identify as men are welcome. Find dates and sign up at luma.com/themandem.
Contact: Patrick@themandem.co.uk
