Feb 1, 2023
Page currently being updated
Mr Hastings and St Leonards is hosted by Hastings Voluntary Action, and has been funded by East Sussex County Council for three years. Mr Hastings and St Leonards is led by local men.
Research shows that life expectancy for men in Hastings and St Leonards is significantly lower than the national average. There have been many great initiatives across the borough that have made a real difference to individual men’s health and wellbeing. However, this hasn’t changed the bigger picture around men’s life expectancy locally.
This project is based on the belief that men in Hastings and St Leonards will live happier, healthier, and longer lives if they are at the heart of decision making and live in strong, supportive, and well-connected communities, where they can fulfill their potential. This project is reflecting this belief by supporting men to talk about what matters for them.
Looking to the Future we are now able to share that East Sussex County Council Public Health have awarded HVA a further three years funding to work alongside local men, and wider stakeholders, to explore opportunities to continue the conversation around mens health and wellbeing in surrounding areas.
Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health East Sussex County Council, says:
The Mr Hastings and St Leonards project stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when communities come together with purpose, compassion, and a shared vision for change. At its heart lies a simple but urgent truth, the life expectancy and healthy life expectancy of men in Hastings and St Leonards remain unacceptably low. This is not just a statistic, it is a call to action.
Whats Happening Locally for Men
- Find out what's going on with the Mr Hastings and St Leonards project: Mr Hastings and St Leonards Padlet
- Find Mens groups locally: Local men's Groups
- Local Support: Local Support
Visit the Mens Room Hastings and St Leonards website and social media platforms to join the conversation, and find out about local events, activities, groups and campaigns.
Latest News From Men's Room (Mr) Hastings and St leonards
The Mr Hastings and St Leonards Timeline was designed, and animated, for Mr Hastings and St Leonards by Esther Springett
Find out more about Esther's work at: https://www.esthersketches.com/
Mr Hastings and St Leonards Learning and Legacy Event was held in May 2025. As Mr Hastings and St Leonards moved towards the end of the initial three-year funding period the event brought together diverse stakeholders, inviting them to share their reflections on the journey so far and their hopes for the future.
Local men, East Sussex County Council Public Health Commissioners, Steering Group Members, Apteligen Evaluation and Learning Partners and Hastings Voluntary Action Team Members all contributed. The presentations shared at the event are included as a link below.
Mr Hastings and St Leonards Learning and Legacy Report, Looking to the Future (August 2025) aims to capture the passion, creativity and bravery of the men, their friends and families, wider communities, local groups and service providers who have led and supported Mr Hastings and St Leonards journey so far. This report will be available to download here in August 2025.
The 2025 Evaluation and Learning Final Report, compiled by Apteligen, is available now. Apteligen was commissioned in September 2023 to undertake an independent evaluation for Mr Hastings and St Leonards.
They undertook interviews, hosted conversations, ripple mapping workshops, an online survey, and collected Most Significant Change Stories from local stakeholders. Apteligen’s full report, summary report, and booklet of stories are available to download below.
Baton of Hope Tour
AWAITING UPDATE
Media Coverage and Recognition
Travis from Mr Hastings and St Leonards had a chat with BBC News, speaking about the Men Don't Talk ? film and the importance of open honest conversation.
Travis said ''It is important that we all take time to join this important conversation about Men's Mental Health the more open we are, the more we can grow ''
Have a look the BBC south East interview below :
You can Now Watch the 'Men Don't Talk ?' Film online here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlplaN9z0zE
Mr Hastings and St Leonards was highlighted in a Local Government Association (LGA) report around Men’s health: The lives of men in our communities. This link takes you to the East Sussex Case Study : East Sussex: Energising local groups and people to address mental health | Local Government Association
Mr Hastings and St Leonards was highlighted in Creativity for Healthier Lives – The East Sussex Director of Public Health Annual Report: Annual Public Health Report 2023/24 - Creativity for Healthier Lives | (eastsussexjsna.org.uk)
- Mr Hastings and St Leonards also submitted evidence to the UK Parliament Select Inquiry into Mens Health. Our submission can be downloaded below. Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, has confirmed plans for a men’s health strategy as a result of the Select Committee Inquiry. Secretary of State commits to first ever men’s health strategy - GOV.UK
Project Identity
Mr Hastings and St Leonards identity, branding and Logo has been co-designed with a local graphic designer and a group of men from Hastings and St Leonards. Look out for this branding in your communities and see what Mr Hastings and St Leonards is up to locally.
Join The Conversation
Check out the Mr Hastings and St Leonards Linktree page to find links to Facebook, Podcasts, and other ways to get involved: https://linktr.ee/mrhsl
Visit the Men’s Room Hastings and St Leonards CIC website: https://mensroom.community/
Join the Hastings and St Leonards Men’s Health and Wellbeing Forum if you already work with men in Hastings and St Leonards, or would like to in the future. This is an opportunity to meet, share ideas, experiences, plan and connect. Meeting dates and registration will be shared on the HVA events page and news feed. Contact the Project Team to find out more.
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the project so far, sharing your views and experiences, getting involved and sharing your passion and enthusiasm for the future of mens health and well-being in Hastings and St Leonards.
