Local volunteer shortlisted for Make a Difference Award

A local man who set up a peer-support group in Melksham to help men struggling with their mental health has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Chris Smith, founder of the Man Down group, has been named as one of four finalists in the Volunteer category at this year’s BBC Make a Difference Awards in Wiltshire. The award celebrates individuals who make a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.

Chris launched Man Down in Melksham last year to provide a safe, welcoming space for men to talk about issues affecting their mental health. He has also set up groups in Trowbridge, Devizes and Calne with a Westbury group also starting this month.

Chris was nominated by a neighbour who recognised the impact Chris has made in supporting men across the county.

“I was very pleased and somewhat humbled to have been nominated,” said Chris. “I’ve been shortlisted as one of four finalists. Whatever happens, I share this award with my fellow facilitators who keep Man Down Wiltshire running and providing that support to men suffering from poor mental health by sharing their lived experiences.”

The award winners will be announced during afternoon tea at Bowood House on Sunday 14th September.

Man Down was established in Melksham in October last year and has since seen strong attendance, with men aged between 20 and 82 joining meetings. Sessions provide a supportive environment where men can share experiences of anxiety, depression, bereavement and other challenges, or simply listen without pressure to speak.

The meetings are informal and free to attend. Men can talk as much or as little as they like, or simply listen and know they’re not alone.

“Most of our groups average between eight and 18 men per session,” said Chris, who started the groups after facing his own struggles with anxiety and depression. “But if just one man who’s struggling walks through the door, that’s a success. Across the five existing groups, we’ve welcomed over 250 men and logged more than 1,000 visits. There’s clearly a need.”

Chris knows the impact these groups can have. At Melksham, two men told him attending literally saved their lives. “They said it was either ‘turn right and come in to see you guys’ or ‘turn left and end it all.’ That’s how important this is.

“There’s no pressure,” Chris adds. “You can come and just listen. Some men have found huge value in simply being there without saying a lot.”

The name Man Down was chosen because it is the opposite of ‘Man Up’- a phrase often used to tell someone to deal with something bravely. Chris explained, “It’s the opposite of telling someone to ‘pull your socks up and get on with it’. It’s about saying it’s okay not to be okay.” The organisation was originally founded in 2018 by Ross Jackson-Hicks in Cornwall.

Meetings in Melksham take place at Bowerhill Village Hall every other Tuesday at 7pm. For more details about Man Down and meeting times, visit the Man Down Wiltshire Facebook page.