Okehampton’s Who Let The Dads Out has been successfully working to tackle men’s mental health issues with the support of National Lottery funding.

The dads’ group was awarded £15,000 in National Lottery funding in 2024 and has used it to support fathers and male carers by tackling social isolation and improving mental wellbeing.

Its work has now been recognised by Devon County Council, receiving over £13,000 through a men’s mental-health grant programme as part of the council’s community suicide-prevention work.

The organisation has now gone one step further and set up the country’s first mental health support group for male farmers, called Rural Recharge.

Spokesperson Michelle Farrelly said: “We provide a space for them to get together every other month. They get together and do an activity.

“It’s about making those connections and building those relationships.”

Who Let The Dads Out recently promoted the new project at this year’s Okehampton Show, giving out tractor stickers with contact details for key mental health charities such as Samaritans so that farmers in crisis can access support as quickly as possible.

Michelle pointed out that people were unlikely to consider suicide when in the company of friends but if in emotional distress may consider it when sitting alone in a tractor.

“If farmers have the sticker right there in their tractor, they can call and get help straight away,” she added.

Having secured around £60,000 in grants, the group is now applying to become a community interest company (CIC). It also plans to reapply for National Lottery funding.

Who Let The Dads Out is a support and social group for fathers and father figures. It meets on the second Saturday each month at the church hall on Market Street and provides a space where dads and other father figures can spend more quality time with their children.

For more information visit the Okehampton Who Let The Dads Out Facebook page.

Anyone in distress and in need of urgent help can call the Samaritans’ helpline on 116 123.