A new community group in Hitchin is using the power of football — and quiet companionship — to support men's mental health amid worrying national suicide figures.

Founded and run by local writer and organiser Katie Wilson, Jumpers for Goalposts meets on Sunday afternoons to watch Premier League matches in a relaxed, pressure-free setting. The group is designed for men who want to connect without having to talk, perform, or explain themselves.

"It's simple," says Katie. "Come for the match, stay for the company. You don't have to talk — just being here matters." The format is intentionally non-therapeutic and non-judgemental; attendees can drop in during kick-off, stay as long as they like, and choose whether to chat or simply sit quietly among others. The aim is to reduce isolation and offer a gentle route to wellbeing through shared interest and presence.

Katie started the group because she wanted to bring together two things she is passionate about: football and men's mental health. She says combining a familiar communal activity with low-pressure companionship gives men an easy reason to gather and begin to reconnect.

The scale of the problem the group hopes to respond to is stark. Around three-quarters of all suicides are among men, and on average about 14 men die by suicide every day in the UK — a toll that makes suicide a leading cause of death for many male age groups and underlines the urgent need for community-led responses. These figures emphasise why simple, peer-led projects that reduce isolation and normalise being together are a vital part of the wider public-health picture

Jumpers for Goalposts is not a clinical service, and anyone seeking professional help should do so using the local services available.

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