An informal walking group for men diagnosed with, or recovering from, cancer launched in 2024 is proving popular. Mike Snell, a trustee with the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF), joined them for a walk in the woods.
Walking groups can support men recovering from cancer because they combine gentle physical activity, social connection and nature-based stress reduction – three elements repeatedly shown to improve mental health in those suffering from cancer.
Men are particularly in need of walking-based support after cancer diagnosis because while their emotional needs are often high, their willingness or ability to seek help is often low. Evidence from UK cancer organisations shows a clear pattern that men face unique psychological pressures after treatment yet they are less likely to access traditional mental health support.
CCHF have been supporting the activities of the men's walking group organised by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s cancer psychology service by administering the financial support to ensure that those needs that fall outside the NHS budget can be met and add further value and enjoyment for those taking part. A monthly donation made by a business supporter ensures that basic costs of the walking group, including coffee and (in hot weather!) ice cream, are provided for the walkers. CCHF trustees also recently agreed to support another cancer psychology initiative, Living With Uncertainty, which is a more general support group for men and women.
As a trustee of CCHF I accepted an invitation from the cancer psychology service and joined a cheery group of walkers at Forestry England’s family-focused outdoor centre at Wendover Woods, which stands high above the Buckinghamshire village. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Chiltern Hills, I can see why the men’s walking group use it as their focal point: there are a range of trails, paths and picturesque views. Once you have walked a few hundred metres you lose the crowds and you can fully enjoy the natural surroundings.
Our leader is Dr Seth Mackie, Macmillan Clinical Psychologist with Buckinghamshire’s cancer psychology service, and who administers the group. In December 2025 – following a 12 month trial of the walking group – a service evaluation was developed by Sydney Bray, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, in the form of a focus group to better understand the members’ experiences of attending.
Seth explained to me how the walking group came about: “The stimulus to start the group was that we ran an audit and found that although men and women were receiving similar numbers of referrals to treatment for cancer, there was a disparity between the number of men and women accessing psychological therapies.”
In response to this dilemma the psychology service decided to engage with staff and patients to explore further the question of men’s engagement in cancer services. “The service conducted a qualitative survey co-produced with Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) representatives that asked men with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer about their relationship to accessing psychology and help seeking for psychological problems.”
Seth added: “Using reflexive thematic analysis, we evaluated online survey responses from 16 male patients alongside qualitative interviews with eight staff members across referring cancer teams. In response to the data gathered, and in co-production with male patients referred to the psychology service, we originally established a “Men’s Walk and Talk group” and gathered feedback from the men on the impact of this group. In particular, we found that men were interested in gaining opportunities to meet other men living with cancer, to have a space to discuss cancer without feeling like a burden on loved ones, and to gain therapeutic input in settings that felt more ordinary and less clinical.”
I’m introduced to my companions and soon sense their openness and enthusiasm. These are not men who have been forced to do anything and it’s clear that they don’t particularly view the walking group as “treatment” or “therapy”.
Our group is small today, but previous months have seen a regular turn-out of 15 to 20. It is mid-summer, the start of holiday season and the temperatures are high which may be an explanation for the smaller number.
We start with introductions and there is no hesitancy among the walkers in describing their personal cancer journeys. I first meet Ed who, like me, pitches up at the meeting point early. Ed was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024 after taking a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and now he’s recovering from treatment. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK and worldwide and accounts for over a quarter of male cancer diagnoses. It’s not surprising then that I next meet Dave, who lives and works in nearby Wendover, who was also diagnosed with prostate cancer and who has been living positively with the illness for a number of years.
Next I’m introduced to Tom. He was diagnosed some years ago with a very rare blood cancer with which he now has to live with by taking a specialist drug that keeps the illness at bay. He’s a good talker and is keen to share his back story. He also takes part in other groups of cancer sufferers, particularly those affected by his particular haematological illness. All three have embraced the walking group’s objectives and understand the benefits.
As we stroll through Wendover Woods – this is not a hike, by the way, nor a physical adventure – the conversation ranges widely, and bounces between us freely and easily. Seth makes sure that the discussions are kept up and are informal, but the chatter is warm and there is no awkwardness. When we return to the Wendover Woods café for coffee our conversations continue – this time ranging over the usual topics that men talk about including sport, football (yes, England’s travails in the World Cup) and, gingerly, until we understand where our predilections may lie, politics.
Seth tells me that one of the interesting outcomes of the group over the past 18 months has been the development of a camaraderie; when a member is missing for one reason or another – and particularly if treatment is not going so well – concern for his welfare is expressed.
The psychology team would like to develop the group further: “We would like to engage more with voluntary sector organisations and medical teams across Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to support access to therapies for men living with cancer. We are also aiming to publish our research on the Men’s Walking Group and to seek additional feedback on our group processes to inform further development,” said Seth.
My brief experience is that the Men’s Walking Group is, for many cancer sufferers, a valuable and effective way of helping men come to terms with their diagnosis and illness. It is highly cost effective and, more particularly, plainly driven by the enthusiasm of all those involved.
If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, or are recovering from and living with the illness, and would like to join the walking group or learn more about the cancer psychology service provided by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust you can email bht.cancerpsychology@nhs.net or phone 01296 322207. You can also find a contact list of specialist charities that support a wide range of cancer and haematology illnesses here: https://www.cchf.org.uk/useful-websites
More information about the work that CCHF does to support Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust's cancer and haematology treatment service can be found here: www.cchf.org.uk
1 September 2026