THE MANUP? TEAM

Bringing awareness to men's mental health is our mission.
As opposed to suffering in silence from whatever issue people face, we raise awareness, start discussions, and highlight what people can do to cope with mental illness.

Every team member from trustee to ambassador has lived with some sort of mental health issue.

MANUP? started after Dan learned of The Prodigy’s member Keith Flint’s death. Daniel had previously DJ’d with Keith and it was only when Daniel heard of his death that he realised how many men’s funerals he’d attended. Something needed to change, MANUP? was born, originally as an annual event. Dan deals with the everyday running of MANUP?

Steve has over 15 years of experience designing and developing brands. It is this experience Dan called on to help develop the MANUP?  brand. While Steve won't take credit, he was the first person to help Dan when MANUP? was planned to be a one-off event, just a one-off idea to help break the stigma with men's mental health. 

A proud cancer survivor, and past British Siberian Husky Racing champion. Steve is acutely aware of the mental pressure that people can put upon themselves, not only to be the best in top-level competition, but also when mental control of a situation seems to be rapidly fading. These very personal experiences make him proud to be part of the changes driven by the MANUP? team.

I’ve been in financial services for 16 years and have seen first-hand the impact your finances can have on your mental wellbeing.

Feeling out of control with your finances is a cycle that is very tough to break and can have significant long term consequences. I’ve had my own mental health challenges but have also learnt support better.

I want to help support this amazing charity to help others in their time of challenge. We’re better off supporting and talking with one another which sometimes can feel like the hardest thing of all.

I have worked in HR for approximately 8 years now. I work within a male dominated industry and have unfortunately witnessed the impact that poor mental health can have, especially through the fear of not speaking out. My mission and passion is supporting both leaders and individuals feel comfortable to create safe spaces for difficult conversations and break communication delay.

I am very passionate about mental health and wellbeing, I have personally experienced my own journey and I firmly believe that if I can positively impact one person, someone’s world has been changed and that the aim of the game.

My most common phase is: Be a trampoline, not a sponge.

Dots career, in excess of 40 years, has been spent working in a wide range of clinical and managerial positions within the NHS.

It is from this time that Dot has developed a passion for and commitment to those who experience mental health challenges and all who are subsequently affected by them. Dot is currently undertaking the role of a trustee with local charities and pleased to offer her knowledge and expertise as a trustee.

Phil has worked around the globe specialising in the marketing and events industries for almost 20 years. From corporate to charity initiatives and not-for-profit organisations, Phil has always focused on making a difference in people's lives.

Phil has personal experience of tackling mental health challenges in both his personal and family life, and it is these experiences that have encouraged him to serve MANUP?

Despite living with severe anxiety and depression since his early teens, Colin curated a successful career in radio and more recently on YouTube where his weekly vlogs describing how he lives and deals with his own mental health struggles have been watched by over 70-million people.

He’s supporting MANUP? because he wants to highlight the mental health issues we face, yet very few of us ever talk about."

Ben is an artist, curator and mental health advocate. Founder of @guycryclub Ben encourages the use of creativity to explore masculinity and mental health as well as campaigning for greater diversity within these dialogues.

Ben supports the work of MANUP? as he understands that providing a platform for others can lead to a greater sense of belonging and ultimately positive societal change in the context of mental health, which is essential.

Rob supports the work of MANUP? because it’s really important to talk especially to encourage those of the same age that it’s not a weakness to open up to your mates it should be normal to be able to have a bit of banter but know you can talk if you need to.