Located in the Holme Valley, the Man Alive Project is helping men reconnect, with themselves, with each other, and with life, through the simple joy of shared activity.
At the heart of it all…
Founded by John Penson, the project was born from a desire to create a space where men could come together, be active, and find connection. In just six months, Man Alive has already made an incredible impact, engaging with over 30 men, completing 26 weekly walks, and establishing regular activity days like swimming sessions and “Man Alive Mondays.” The project has also secured funding for the next 12 months, setting a strong foundation for growth.
At its heart, the project is about doing things together. Whether it’s a walk, a game, or a creative workshop, these simple activities spark conversation and build friendships. Every week, the group meets in a welcoming, pressure-free environment where men can take part, connect, and support one another.
Over time, these sessions have become a lifeline for many, helping to combat isolation, boost confidence, and promote positive mental health. The programme continues to evolve, with new activities and ideas shaped by the men themselves.
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Interview with John Penson
We caught up with founder John Penson to hear how the idea for Man Alive came to life, what it’s achieved in just six months, and why a bit of activity can make all the difference.
What inspired you to start the Man Alive Project, and what need did you see in the community that pushed you to act?
Having been an active person, taking part in multiple sports, working in teaching and the charity sector, I was unfortunate to suffer a life-changing health setback. During my convalescence, I was conscious of how important the support of family and friends was to my recovery and I wondered what it would have been like without that. Doing a bit of research, I found what was available often centred around talking groups and there was very little on offer for blokes who wanted to connect with other men in a social setting, where there were activities to take part in. During this period, I reconnected with local charity Communities United Project (CUP), in which we discussed this lack of provision and the concept of the Man Alive Project was born.
Through social activities – going on a group walk, playing weird & wonderful games, having a wild swim or learning to do something brand new with other men – Man Alive Project aims to help men re-connect with others. There is lots of data out there about the health dangers of isolation and loneliness (Kirklees has its own Loneliness Strategy) but the project is not just about that. We acknowledge that we all have ups and downs in life, and we understand that life is better when shared with others and better still when you’re actively pursuing the ups – trying new things, connecting with other people, challenging yourself and wanting more. Man Alive Project is about enabling men to do interesting activities whilst develop social connections.
We have been in discussions with the local GPs, Social Prescribers, Occupational Therapists, and other local third-sector support groups who have helped us shape the idea of our project. The fact that the programme is activity-based is what excites them, and in our experience so far, that’s what our beneficiaries want: the opportunity to interact with other men in an activity-based setting.
How have you seen the men who attend change over time, whether in terms of confidence, wellbeing, or their sense of belonging?
In the short time that we’ve been going we have seen our Ramble On! walking group grow into an important fixture on the calendar, something we all look forward to each week. A wild swimming group goes out each Saturday morning and the participants talk openly of the positive benefits they feel from taking part. We have carers, men who work from home, men new to the area, and those who just fancy a bit of social exercise, alongside those who recognise that somewhere along the line they’ve lost touch with others. We’ve heard from partners who talk of how animated their husbands have become, how they’ve regained a zest for life. Here’s what some of our participants have said about Man Alive Project:
Your programme includes such a wide range of activities, from quizzes and sports to cooking and gardening, why is variety so important?
Variety is the… or should that read: activity is the spice of life! I love the outdoors, I love creating things – cooking, crafts, stories, building things, and I know that sharing an activity often makes the experience even better. We’ve started with activities in which we are confident of a high-quality delivery, but ultimately the project will develop in new directions as men come with their own ideas and knowledge. Who knows where it will go! And it’s lovely to introduce people to new things. There are chaps outdoor swimming with us who think it’s fantastic and can’t believe they’d never done it before.
What are some of the most memorable moments or success stories you’ve experienced since launching the project?
On our first walk we had only one person that we didn’t know. Getting into double figures, and then the teens felt like landmarks, but it was a walk with seven chaps – a record at that point – where we knew we had something special going on. We’d become a ‘group’ and you could see the magic working as conversations flowed, friendships were born and the power of social connection was so apparent.
What’s your vision for the future of Man Alive, and how can people in Holme Valley and beyond get involved or support your work?
As part of a charity, we are dependent on funding to help us do what we do. A Dark Woods Coffee grant will directly fund The Pan Man! a cookery-based programme, aimed at upskilling participants with the knowledge and confidence to prepare and cook healthy, nutritious food whilst having a bit of fun. This will start early October and will take place at Holmfirth Cricket Club, who are also backing the project with their support. Sport England have recognised the value of our project and how important it is for people to be able to get together for social activities with a grant of £15,000, which will fund Man Alive Mondays (activity nights) alongside a yoga programme, a cycling project and our walk & talk programme Ramble On! as it heads into the darker months with head torches and hi-vis! Central Coop have provided some funding we use to pay for homemade flapjack, enjoyed each week on our walks.
We are always on the look out for opportunities to try new activities and so if there’s anyone out there that has an idea of something we could try or have a facility or activity they could let us use, we’d love to hear from them.
If there are any businesses who’d like to support our work and have the satisfaction of helping the project grow, again we’d love to hear from them.
One of the biggest ways of supporting our work is encouraging men to attend our sessions. For one reason or another, taking that first step is often the hardest. Once they come, they’ll not be disappointed. Ages range from late 20s through to early 70s and we’re a really friendly bunch. Our sessions focus around an activity, so there’s always something to do, something to talk about. Everyone is included and everyone is valued.
In the future, we would like age-specific elements to the programme, a Young Man Alive, a Man Alive Senior and even a Woman Alive!
A huge thank you to John Penson and everyone involved in the Man Alive Project for sharing their story with us, and for the incredible work they’re doing to bring men together and build stronger, healthier communities across the Holme Valley.
You can keep up with their latest activities, events, and updates by following Man Alive Project on social media.
Want to read more inspiring local stories?
Head over to our Community Stories page to discover how people and groups across Kirklees are making a difference through walking, wheeling, and riding.