Simon Says, Let’s Talk is Podcast-on-Prescription
Whatever you're carrying, you are not the only one. Simon Says, Let's Talk is a free, not-for-profit creative health series supporting men's mental health through honest conversations with well-known men from comedy, music, sport, politics and public life.
Hosted by GP and MP Dr Simon Opher MBE, the series explores the pressures men often face but can struggle to express — loneliness, finance worries, grief, relationships, identity, fatherhood, shame, burnout, body image, alcohol, gambling, the manosphere, and the pressure to "man up."
Press play, listen to curated playlists, and find support.
Not everything can be solved with medicine. It’s often more effective to harness your creativity, which helps to reflect and reframe your thinking. When leading men speak honestly about their own struggles and how they manage their mental fitness, it gives other men permission to do the same. My hope with Simon Says, Let’s Talk is to help men realise—you are not alone.
I genuinely believe men are getting better at talking. When I was growing up, the idea of going to therapy was almost comically un-British. Now I know plenty of men who do it, and that feels like real progress — you get to say ‘the thing’ out loud to someone. Comedy gives people permission to feel things they can’t quite name. Doing that together, in a room, is completely different to watching alone on a device. That communal laughter is medicine.
I’ve spent 25 years working as a touring DJ, musician and producer. It’s been a largely joyful experience but along the way I’ve witnessed others' and experienced my own struggles with mental health. 10 years ago, in response to these challenges, I trained as a psychotherapist in CBT. It’s wonderful to share the knowledge, techniques and ways of thinking that have helped me — and those I’ve worked with — to better manage mental health.
My favourite line comes courtesy of comedian and former psychiatric nurse Jo Brand: “Laughter may be the best medicine. But it doesn’t work terribly well for erectile dysfunction.” I doubt that gag has the same therapeutic benefit as those little blue diamonds, but used judiciously, there is evidence that comedy can improve health, particularly if it promotes “mirthful laughter” and doesn’t offend.
Modern life deprives us of two things vital to us — time in nature and time with other people. And yes, blokes deal with that generally less well than women — we’re averse to sharing feelings, fearing it looks weak. Football on prescription is one way we can help break down these barriers, getting isolated people in and around other people with a shared interest. But mostly we just need to challenge the macho taboo — it’s not just good to talk, it’s great. :)
At Brimscombe Mill, we’ve learned how to bring people together to tackle the challenges that affect us all, from food insecurity to loneliness and isolation. Simon Says, Let’s Talk is an exciting opportunity to build on that experience, working with Dr Simon Opher, Craic Health and the NHS to explore men’s mental health in a more creative, human way. Our series shows how collaboration can turn conversation itself into a form of care.
We don’t need to be defeated by the current narrative. When men do well, everyone does better and that is exactly what Simon Says, Let's Talk is all about—providing an accessible platform for well-known men to be vulnerable, share real stories and practical tools to help other men reflect, reframe, and build better mental fitness.
Social prescribing is all about helping people connect with what matters to them — whether that’s getting creative, sharing a laugh, meeting new people or becoming part of a local group, these everyday connections can have a real impact on wellbeing. If people are interested in social prescribing, then you can reach out to your local Link Worker.
A large body of evidence shows that taking part in creative and expressive activities, including through social prescribing, can lead to a wide range of benefits — increased social interaction, decreased stress, adoption of healthy behaviours, and improved outcomes such as skills and employment.
Our NHS Talking Therapies services have led the way on engagement to meet men where they are. We know from our decades of expertise in mental health service delivery about the importance of reaching men before they reach a crisis point. Simon Says, Let’s Talk helps start those conversations and we’re honoured to be a part of it.
Press play. Talk later.
Honest conversations between leading men. Watch the podcast, then listen to the playlist they’ve made for you.
The One With Andy Burnham
Dr Simon Opher MP · Andy Burnham · Lu Jackson
Honest, funny, and hopeful on men's mental health, Andy Burnham and Lu Jackson (Founder of Craic Health) join Simon to launch the world's first "Podcast-on-Prescription"... and Lu makes the Mayor of Manchester answer the big one: who's funnier, Liam or Noel?
Ep. 01 sponsored by Laura Kinsella Foundation
Run To The Kings of the North
Music for Men to remaster themselves · Curated by Andy Burnham
Oasis, New Order, Stone Roses, The Smiths — the soundtrack to getting back on your feet. Run to the Kings of the North.
The One With Tom Walker
Dr Simon Opher MP · Tom Walker (Jonathan Pie)
Ahead of his UK tour, 'The End of The World according to Jonathan Pie', Simon 'In Conversation With' comedian, writer, and actor Tom Walker. This is a candid, funny, and deep discussion, recorded live at Brimscombe Mill.
Ep. 02 sponsored by Laura Kinsella Foundation
Laugh
Music for Men to laugh to · Curated by Craic Health
Top comedians, films and comic tracks for light relief.
The One With Robbie & Dale
Dr Simon Opher MP · Robbie Savage · Dale Vince
As the World Cup kicks off, Simon 'In Conversation With' Forest Green Rovers FC duo Robbie Savage (Manager) and Dale Vince (Chair). They discuss football, purpose, and resilience. Recorded live at Eco Park Stadium.
Ep. 03 sponsored by Ecotricity
Work Out
Music for Men to work out to · Curated by Robbie Savage
High-energy tracks for movement, momentum and clearing the head.
The One With Dr Phil
Dr Simon Opher MP · Dr Phil Hammond
Packed with health, humour and honesty, Simon 'In Conversation With' GP doctor and comedian Dr Phil Hammond on why laughter matters and how comedy can help people talk about the serious stuff. Recorded live at Brimscombe Mill.
Ep. 04 sponsored by Laura Kinsella Foundation
Match Your Mood
Music for Men to match their mood to · Curated by Dr Phil Hammond
A playlist for meeting yourself where you are.
The One With Tom Findlay & Tom Walker
Dr Simon Opher MP · Tom Findlay · Tom Walker
Music, therapy, and comedy meet. Simon 'In Conversation With' Tom Findlay (Groove Armada), who talks about becoming a CBT psychotherapist, and Tom Walker (Jonathan Pie), who returns to the series for this special world first: Podcast-on-Prescription recorded live at UK Parliament.
The video drops right here on release
Ep. 05 sponsored by Mental Health Matters
Better Days
Music for Men to have better days to · Curated by Tom Findlay
A Groove Armada-led soundtrack for lighter, brighter days—a "musical hug" as Tom called it.
SXSW Special
Dr Simon Opher MP · The Rt Hon. Ian Murray MP · Jake Jefferson · Lu Jackson
Simon 'In Conversation With' The Rt Hon. Ian Murray MP (Culture Minister), Lu Jackson (Craic Health), and Jake Jefferson (Creative Wave Entertainment), for a special one-off live recording at SXSW London 2026, in Shoreditch.
The video drops right here on release
Ep. 06 hosted by SXSW London
Create
Music for Men to create to · Curated by Jake Jefferson
A playlist for building, making and getting ideas moving.
Curated by men for men
When creative health sessions end, what do you do next? Each playlist offers more connection personally curated by our guests, co-founders or sponsors.
Created by our guests
Run With Kings of the North
Music for Men to remaster to
A northern soundtrack for getting back on your feet.
Work Out
Music for Men to work out to
High-energy tracks for movement, momentum and clearing the head.
Match Your Mood
Music for Men to match their mood
A playlist for meeting yourself where you are.
Better Days
Music for Men to have better days to
A Groove Armada-led soundtrack for lighter, brighter days.
Get Moving
Music for Men to get moving to
The best of the Scots — built for motion, energy and mood.
Create
Music for Men to create to
A playlist for building, making and getting ideas moving.
Reset
Music for Men to reset to
A host playlist for pausing, resetting and coming back steady.
Empowered
Empower yourself
Tracks for strength, confidence and self-belief.
Laugh
Music for Men to laugh to
Top comedians, films and comic tracks for light relief.
Dance The Night Away
Music for Men to dance to
A playlist for rhythm and keeping the night moving.
Reflect
Music for Men to reflect to
A reflective playlist for pause, memory and perspective.
Keep Going
Music for Men to keep going to
A playlist for resilience, steadiness and moving through the day.
Creative health can help
More connection. Healthier habits. Less stress. Better emotional and cognitive processing — and gains in skills, work and pride in where you live.
The WHO backs social prescribing of the arts — diverse studies show impact on mental and physical health across promotion, prevention, management and treatment of disease.
First ever strategy for England, launched November 2025 — mental health and suicide prevention at its heart, meeting men where they are: sports clubs, workplaces and a Premier League partnership.
Laughing with other people triggers the release of endogenous opioids — your body's own feel-good chemicals. It's the science behind Comedy-on-Prescription and why a night of comedy with mates bonds and lifts you.
launched at Forest Green Rovers by our guest Dale Vince of Ecotricity (Ep. 3 sponsor) with our host Dr Simon Opher. GPs across Stroud prescribe free matchday tickets, walking football and five-a-side. The first scheme of its kind in the UK — aimed especially at men.
Group singing, playing and music-making lift mood, reduce stress, improve emotional and cognitive processing, and connect you with people. Playlists are a prescription too.
Men's Pie Club — backed by Movember — brings men together to bake pies and eat them, shoulder to shoulder. From one Newcastle club in 2018 to clubs across the UK, tackling isolation one crust at a time.
In the national green social prescribing pilot, 8,339 people with mental health needs took up gardening, conservation and outdoor exercise — happiness and anxiety improved to around national averages, at a cost-effectiveness rivalling CBT.
9 men turned up to the first Andy's Man Club in Halifax in 2016. Today thousands of men meet at 320+ venues every Monday night, free, no booking, no judgement — talk as much or as little as you want.
The BMJ's MIRTH review found laughter reduces anger, anxiety, depression and stress, raises your pain threshold, improves lung function and lowers heart attack risk.
covering 14,000 people say moving works for depression — walking, jogging and strength training deliver relief rivalling therapy and medication. You don't have to feel like it. Start with a walk.
fewer GP visits among patients prescribed an 8-week arts course — plus 27% fewer hospital admissions. The charity behind it? Artlift, founded in Gloucestershire by our host, Dr Simon Opher, a Dursley GP.
Comedy as therapy — in the BMJ, written by our guest Dr Phil Hammond. And the "Beyond Laughter" systematic review backs him up: comedy interventions aid mental health recovery, building connection, hope, identity and empowerment.
Men's Sheds — community workshops where men build, fix and make things shoulder-to-shoulder. Hundreds across the UK, with research showing less depression and isolation, and more purpose, confidence and mates.
are now "parkrun practices" — GPs prescribing the free weekly 5k. Walk it, jog it, run it or just volunteer. Participants report less isolation, lower anxiety and more confidence.
An NHS and UCL study of comedy courses for veterans with mental health needs found they're a promising social intervention — improving confidence, self-esteem and emotional regulation. Delivered through the NHS Op COURAGE service.
the weight loss — Football-on-Prescription works. Men on Football Fans in Training, run at their own clubs, lost nine times more weight than those who didn't, with lower blood pressure, smaller waists and better mental wellbeing.
lower risk of dying early for over-50s who engage with the arts every few months — Prof. Daisy Fancourt's 14-year study of thousands of adults.
of laughter works like a moderate workout — cholesterol and blood pressure fall — and it boosts your blood vessel function by 10%, lasting up to 24 hours after the comedy ends.
And when you're ready to talk one-to-one: 1 in 2 people who complete a course of free NHS Talking Therapies recover, and 2 in 3 improve significantly. You can refer yourself — no GP needed.
Commissioned by NHS England, National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) evidence found that social prescribing schemes can deliver between £2.14 and £8.56 for every £1 invested, by reducing pressure on the NHS: fewer GP appointments, hospital admissions and A&E visits.
Want to learn more about Comedy-on-Prescription?
The men in the room
Leading men from comedy, music, sport and politics, sitting down for an honest conversation. Here's who's pulled up a chair.
SO
Host · All episodes
Dr Simon Opher MBE
GP · MP for Stroud · Chair of Creative Health APPG · CRAFT Patron
Dr Simon Opher is a GP, MP for Stroud, Chair of the Creative Health APPG and CRAFT Patron. With more than 30 years’ experience as a doctor, Simon brings a rare mix of clinical insight, political experience and deep community commitment to the series. As host, he opens up the conversation around men’s mental health with warmth, honesty and a belief that connection itself can be part of the medicine.
AB
Ep. 01 · London
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andy Burnham opened the series with a candid conversation about pressure, identity, leadership and the point at which men finally give themselves permission to talk. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he has spent much of his public life engaging with questions of fairness, community and social responsibility. His episode brings political experience into a deeply human conversation about what men carry, what they hide and why speaking earlier matters.
TW
Ep. 02 Stroud · Ep. 05 Parliament
Tom Walker
Critically acclaimed comedian, actor & writer · Jonathan Pie · CRAFT Patron
Tom Walker is the mastermind behind Jonathan Pie, one of the UK’s most recognisable comedy characters. Ricky Gervais described Walker's work as "brilliant, brave, raw, and analytical without forgetting to be funny." While his fictitious reporter is famous for turning public anger into razor-sharp satire, Tom joins our series for two episodes in a far more personal space. Get ready for down-to-earth, funny, and deep conversations.
RS
Ep. 03 · Stroud
Robbie Savage
Forest Green Rovers manager
Robbie Savage is a former Wales international footballer, broadcaster and manager, known for his straight-talking honesty both on and off the pitch. In this episode, he reflects on the highs and lows of professional sport, the pressure placed on men to perform, and what happens when identity is built around winning, resilience and public scrutiny.
DV
Ep. 03 · Stroud
Dale Vince
Ecotricity · Forest Green Rovers
Dale Vince is the founder of Ecotricity and owner of Forest Green Rovers, known for challenging convention across energy, sport and business. His conversation brings an outsider-builder perspective to men’s wellbeing: how values, purpose and action can shape a life, and what it means to do things differently when the default system is not working.
PH
Ep. 04 · Stroud
Dr Phil Hammond
GP · Comedian · Broadcaster
Dr Phil Hammond is a GP, comedian, journalist, broadcaster and long-time campaigner for a more human health system. Across medicine and comedy, he has spent decades showing that laughter, truth and care belong in the same room. His episode brings sharp wit and medical insight to the question of how comedy can support health, connection and honest conversations about what we are really going through.
TF
Ep. 05 · UK Parliament
Tom Findlay
Groove Armada · CBT BABCP Accredited
Tom Findlay is a musician, producer and one half of Groove Armada, one of the UK’s most successful and enduring electronic music exports. Alongside a career spanning global stages, major festivals, three UK Top 10 albums, three Grammy nominations and a BRIT nomination, Tom is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. In Parliament, he joined the conversation from both sides of that experience — as an artist who understands the emotional power of music, and as a therapist working with the real patterns behind mental fitness.
IM
Ep. 06 · SXSW London
The Rt Hon. Ian Murray MP
MP for Edinburgh South · Culture Minister · Technology Minister
The Rt Hon. Ian Murray MP joined the series live at SXSW London for a frank conversation about men, mood, movement and the importance of making mental health feel speakable. Bringing experience from public life and government, his episode connects personal wellbeing with culture, community and the practical ways men can be encouraged to open up before they reach crisis point.
JJ
Ep. 06 · SXSW London
Jake Jefferson
Founder of Creative Wave · Backyard Comedy Club Manager · CRAFT Trustee
Jake Jefferson is the founder of Creative Wave, Manager of Backyard Comedy Club and a CRAFT Trustee. His episode brings the perspective of someone building platforms for new creative talent while keeping audiences connected to real-world performance. Recorded live at SXSW London, the conversation explores creativity, community and the role comedy can play in getting people back in the room together.
Why speaking earlier matters
The numbers behind the conversation. The UN health agency stresses that mental health should be treated as a fundamental human right.
A snapshot of pressure, isolation, risk and preventionwhen mental ill health (particularly depression) is projected to become the world’s leading cause of mortality and morbidity.
people worldwide are living with mental health conditions, according to the World Health Organization.
of suicides in the UK are male - and drug- and alcohol-related deaths are around twice as common in men.
more men now living alone - about twice the rate of women. Chronic loneliness is rising.
UK adults take antidepressants (10.7m) - highest in the most deprived areas.
of men aged 18-24 reported no sex in the past year (up from 19%), alongside rising porn-linked dysfunction under 40.
of young men reach higher education by 19, vs 54% of women - boys fall behind from the early years.
young trans people have considered suicide; LGB+ people are 3× more likely to self-harm.
domestic-violence perpetrators are men; around 3 in 4 victims are women.
the cost of mental ill health to England a year - the equivalent of a pandemic, every year.
saved for every £1 spent on social prescribing - fewer GP, A&E and hospital visits.
Figures correct as at 1 June 2026. Press: if you're covering suicide, please follow the Samaritans' media guidelines.
Talk earlier. Find support.
Watched an episode and something landed? That's the point. Here's where to take the next step.
If you need to talk right now, you can call Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123.
Not-for-profit, with thanks to our sponsors
Every episode of Simon Says, Let's Talk is made possible by sponsors who fund production and tickets for prescribed men.
Laura Kinsella Foundation
A UK grant-making charity founded by Stephen Kinsella — EU lawyer; founder of Clean Up The Internet and Law for Change; Chair of Trustees at the Press Justice Project; Senior Advisor at APCO; and Director of Stroud Book Festival.
The Foundation funds projects across the arts, civil society and public interest causes — including the Laura Kinsella Fellowship, delivered by the National Centre for Writing, which each year supports a talented early-career writer of literary fiction in England who is experiencing limiting circumstances or whose voice is underrepresented; Clean Up the Internet, a not-for-profit tackling online abuse and misinformation; and Law for Change, founded in 2022.
Ecotricity
Founded by Dale Vince — the Green Industrialist; founder of Ecotricity, Skydiamond, BritWind, Devil's Kitchen and the Green Britain Foundation; Chairman of Forest Green Rovers; and UN Climate Change Champion.
Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Ecotricity is Britain’s first green energy company. It supplies renewable electricity, including energy generated from its own windmills, and reinvests its profits into building more green energy — turning bills into mills. Ecotricity is the world's only certified vegan energy company and was recently ranked the UK's top energy supplier for customer service by Citizens Advice.
Mental Health Matters
Founded in 1984 by a committee of carers and mental health professionals in the North East — and now a national charity with over 40 years of experience delivering mental health services across England, from Northumberland to Devon, supporting more than 15,500 people every month.
Its services range from helplines and talking therapies to supported housing and safe-havens, all built on the principle of personalised support to help people achieve their own recovery goals.
Back the mission
Simon Says, Let's Talk is a not-for-profit initiative—all sponsorship money goes to supporting men access our podcasts and help.
Fund a free episode
Through the NHS social prescribing network, local GPs and link workers prescribe tickets directly to those who may benefit most. This not-for-profit initiative helps men reconnect, heal, and belong.
Sponsorship covers the production of one episode and 50% of prescribed attendee ticket costs.
The co-founding team works for free. Simon Says, Let's Talk is a not-for-profit initiative.
~£9 saved / £1 spent
Simon Says, Let's Talk is a live model of creative healthcare in action — with measurable outcomes. NHS-commissioned research by NASP found ‘social prescribing schemes can deliver up to £8.56 for every £1 invested, by reducing pressure on the NHS’.
All podcast events are supported by leading NHS clinicians who provide a safe, trusted environment for participants to continue private conversations afterwards.
Take part
Talent: Are you a well-known man? Do you want to come on the show and share your story? Talent from comedy, music, the creative arts, sport, and policymakers are welcome to connect.
Press and podcasters: Dr Simon Opher is available for interviews, connected to this series—and the series is open to features and guest swaps.
- Talent — apply to be a guest
- Interviews with the host & team
- Press & series backgrounder available
Who makes it happen
A not-for-profit series built by partners who believe connection is medicine.
Dr Simon Opher MP MBE
GP of 30+ years, MP for Stroud and a pioneer of social prescribing — awarded an MBE for embedding creative health into NHS policy. Chair of the Creative Health & Beyond Pills APPGs.
Connect →
Brimscombe Mill
A community hub home to four social enterprises, working for people and planet. It partners with sponsors to fund free tickets for those who need them.
Connect →
Lu Jackson
Craic Health: Comedy-on-Prescription® is working with Dr Simon Opher to integrate comedy into NHS creative health policy. The NHS said it's latest pilot showed "statistically significant gains in wellbeing".
Connect →
NHS Gloucestershire
Provides joined-up mental health, physical health and learning-disability services across Gloucestershire — and supports the events with link workers.
Connect →
Emlyn Bainbridge
Naturalistic, atmospheric photography and video — covering the podcast production and live events.
Connect →
Jenny Bowers
Royal College of Art illustrator and art director who gifted the bespoke word-cloud backdrop that defines the series.
Connect →
Frequently asked
Find out how the series works, who it is for, how Podcast-on-Prescription supports men’s health, and how to attend the series.
About Simon Says, Let’s Talk
What is Simon Says, Let’s Talk?
Simon Says, Let’s Talk is a free, not-for-profit creative-health podcast series supporting men’s mental health through honest conversations with well-known men from comedy, music, sport, politics and public life. It is designed to help men speak earlier, feel less alone, and find practical ways to build better mental fitness.
Who hosts the series?
The series is hosted by Dr Simon Opher MBE, MP: a GP of more than 30 years, MP for Stroud, Chair of the Creative Health APPG, and a pioneer of social prescribing. Simon brings clinical experience, political insight and a calm, generous hosting style to conversations that can otherwise feel difficult to start.
Who is the series for?
The series is for men, and for anyone who supports men: partners, friends, families, colleagues, clinicians, link workers and community organisations. You do not need to have the right words, or be in crisis, to benefit from hearing other men speak honestly.
What topics does the series cover?
The series explores the pressures men often carry but rarely name: loneliness, money worries, grief, relationships, identity, fatherhood, shame, burnout, body image, alcohol, gambling, the manosphere, and the pressure to “man up.” It also focuses on humour, music, movement, purpose, creativity and connection as routes back to better mental fitness.
Why men?
Why is the series focused on men’s mental health?
Because too many men still reach crisis point before they speak. Men account for around 75% of UK suicides, drug- and alcohol-related deaths are around twice as common in men, and many men are still less likely to access traditional mental-health support early. This series is about prevention: making it easier for men to recognise pressure, hear other men talk honestly, and take the next step before things become unmanageable.
What does “by men, for men, with men” mean?
It means the series is not about lecturing men or telling them they are the problem. It is about creating a space where men can hear from other men, see better models of openness and strength, and feel part of a conversation rather than judged from the outside.
Do you need to be in crisis to attend or listen?
No. In fact, the whole point is to help men talk earlier. You can attend, watch or listen because you are curious, stressed, isolated, supporting someone else, or simply ready to hear a more honest conversation about men’s lives.
Why use conversation as a health intervention?
Because conversation can interrupt isolation. When people hear someone else say the thing they have been carrying privately, it can reduce shame, open a door, and make support feel more reachable. Simon Says, Let’s Talk uses conversation, culture and community as a softer entry point into mental health.
Men lifting up men
What does “men lifting up men” mean?
It means men using their platform, experience and honesty to help other men feel less alone. The series invites visible men to share real stories and practical tools, not perfect answers — so others can see that strength can include vulnerability, reflection and asking for help.
Why are positive male role models important?
Because if the only public story men hear is that masculinity is broken, many will switch off. Positive male role models help show that men can be strong, funny, ambitious, kind, accountable, open and connected at the same time.
Why are comedy, music and storytelling part of the series?
Because culture can reach people who might never walk into a clinical mental-health setting. Comedy, music and storytelling help people lower their guard, recognise themselves in someone else’s experience, and feel part of something human.
Podcast-on-Prescription
What is Podcast-on-Prescription?
Podcast-on-Prescription is a creative-health model where people can be referred to attend a live podcast recording through social prescribing routes. It turns a live cultural event into a supported wellbeing intervention: part conversation, part community, part access point into further support.
Can someone really be prescribed a podcast?
Yes. Through social prescribing, GPs and Link Workers can connect people to non-clinical activities that support health and wellbeing. In this case, that activity is a live podcast experience designed to bring men into conversation, culture and community.
How does social prescribing work?
Social prescribing connects people to community-based support that matters to them. That might include creative activities, movement, volunteering, peer support, music, comedy, food, nature or conversation. The aim is to support people earlier, closer to home, in ways that feel practical and human.
How do GPs and Link Workers refer people?
Where prescribed tickets are available, GPs and Link Workers can offer tickets directly to men who may benefit from attending. Anyone curious about social prescribing can also ask their GP practice whether they can be referred to a local Link Worker.
Live recordings
What happens at a live recording?
A live recording brings an audience into the room for an honest conversation between Dr Simon Opher and invited guests. The tone is warm, respectful and real: part podcast, part community gathering, part creative-health session.
Are the live recordings filmed?
Yes. The conversations are recorded so they can be shared more widely as part of the Simon Says, Let’s Talk video podcast series. This helps the impact travel beyond the room, while keeping the live experience intimate and human.
How can I get a ticket or attend?
Tickets may be available through public release, sponsors, partners, or social prescribing routes. Where free or prescribed tickets are available, they are prioritised for people who may benefit most from being in the room.
New podcast dates will be released in due course.
Is it really free?
The series is free and not-for-profit. Sponsors and partners help cover production and prescribed-ticket costs so men who need the room most can be there. The co-founding team gives their time free.
Parliament special
What was the UK Parliament special?
The UK Parliament special was a live Simon Says, Let’s Talk recording bringing the men’s mental-health conversation into one of the UK’s most symbolic public spaces. It featured Dr Simon Opher, Tom Findlay of Groove Armada, Tom Walker of Jonathan Pie, and the wider Podcast-on-Prescription mission.
Why was recording at UK Parliament significant?
Because men’s mental health is not only a private issue — it is a public-health, cultural and policy issue. Recording in Parliament helped show that prevention, creative health, comedy, music and social prescribing belong in serious national conversations.
Creative health partners
What is creative health?
Creative health means using creativity, culture and community to support health and wellbeing. It includes things like comedy, music, arts, storytelling, movement and social connection — not as a replacement for medical care, but as part of a wider prevention-first health system.
What role does Craic Health play?
Craic Health co-produces the series and brings the Comedy-on-Prescription model, creative-health infrastructure and comedy-sector knowledge behind the project. Its wider mission is to use comedy to support mental health, reduce loneliness and create paid opportunities for comedy industry professionals and businesses.
What is Comedy-on-Prescription®?
Comedy-on-Prescription® is Craic Health’s creative-health model using comedy, laughter, live events and community connection to support mental health and wellbeing. It is designed to make comedy more accessible while helping people feel less isolated, more connected and more able to take the next step.
Partners and funding
What role does Brimscombe Mill play?
Brimscombe Mill is a series co-founder, main venue and community partner. It helps bring people together locally and works with sponsors to fund free tickets for those who need them.
What role does NHS Gloucestershire play?
NHS Gloucestershire supports the events, including through Link Workers and social prescribing pathways. Its role helps connect the series to the people who may benefit most from creative, community-based support.
How is the series funded?
The series is funded through sponsors and partners. Sponsorship helps cover production costs and the cost of prescribed tickets, while the co-founding team gives their time free so the initiative can stay not-for-profit and focused on getting men into the room.
How can I sponsor the series?
If you would like to sponsor Simon Says, Let’s Talk or support future Podcast-on-Prescription events, please contact sufyan.ahmed@parliament.uk.
Episodes and support
Where can I watch or listen to the series?
You can watch the video podcast episodes and listen to the Music for Men playlists through the Simon Says, Let’s Talk page and Spotify links. New episodes are released as part of the series schedule.
When are new podcast dates released?
New podcast dates will be released in due course. Please check this page for updates.
Who has appeared on the series?
Guests include Andy Burnham, Tom Walker, Robbie Savage, Dale Vince, Dr Phil Hammond, Tom Findlay, Ian Murray MP and Jake Jefferson, with Dr Simon Opher hosting the series. The guests come from politics, comedy, football, music, health, business and creative industries.
Where can men get mental health support right now?
If you need to talk right now in the UK, you can call Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123. You can also use the support links on this page to find UK and Australia-based support, or speak to your GP practice about local help and social prescribing.