Check Mate Directory

Connecting with others could be the turning point you need!

North Dartmoor and Okehampton Area

(Image donated by Farming Community Network)

About the Project

Check-Mate is a new initiative developed by Wellmoor to raise awareness about men’s mental health in the North Dartmoor and Okehampton area.

We are launching a public awareness campaign to highlight the mental health services and support available both locally and regionally. The campaign aims to reduce stigma, promote conversation, and encourage men (especially those in rural industries) to access help when they need it.

Mental health challenges in rural communities are often compounded by:

  • Lack of anonymity in small towns and villages

  • Perceived stigma around seeking help

  • Limited local mental health services, which tend to be concentrated in urban areas

Men in rural areas are particularly vulnerable. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide. Studies show rural men are less likely to talk about their mental health or reach out for help.

Locally, suicide rates are consistently higher than the national average.

Check-Mate is a community intervention aiming to:

  • Reduce stigma around men’s mental health

  • Encourage open conversation

  • Signpost local and national resources

  • Reach men working in farming and rural industries

If you'd like to support the Check-Mate project, contact:
📞 01647 478378
📧 torie@wellmoor.org.uk

 
 

Directory of Local Wellbeing Groups & Initiatives

Below is a list of local organisations and groups promoting wellbeing, connection, and mental health support across North Dartmoor, Okehampton, and surrounding rural areas.

Okehampton Area

  • Okehampton Community Garden
    Monthly men-only sessions
    🌐 okehamptoncommunitygarden.com
    📧 okehamptoncommunitygarden@gmail.com

  • Men in Sheds Okehampton
    Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 10am–4pm at the Community Garden
    🌐 okeshed.org.uk
    📧 theshedders@okeshed.org.uk

  • Men’s Wellbeing Drop-in
    1st & 2nd Monday each month, 5–7pm
    📍 Wellbeing Café, 14 St James Street, EX20 1DH

  • Who Let the Dads Out?
    2nd Saturday of the month, 10am–12pm
    📍 All Saints Church, Okehampton
    📧 alltogetherokehampton@gmail.com

  • Okehampton Wellbeing Café
    Open daily
    📍 St James Street
    📞 07455 156423
    📧 wellbeingcafe@my-way.org.uk

  • Weekly Mental Wellbeing Drop-in
    Saturdays, 10am–12pm at Okehampton Medical Centre
    (18+ only – co-facilitated by Community Links and the PCN)

  • Health Walks
    🌐 walkingforhealth.org.uk
    📞 Chris Baines – 07917 795072

  • Men’s Café
    Wednesdays, mornings at Sticklepath Café

Chagford

  • Chagford Community Allotment
    Wednesdays, 10:30am–12:30pm
    📧 nickygradyscott@protonmail.com

Moretonhampstead

  • Men in Sheds (in development)
    📞 01647 478378
    🌐 wellmoor.org.uk

  • Wellmoor Community Allotment
    Wednesdays, 2:30–4:30pm
    📧 torie@wellmoor.org.uk

  • Health Walks
    Tuesdays, 10:30am – Court Street Car Park
    (Alternating short and longer walks)
    📞 01626 215751

  • Friendly Fridays – Wellbeing Warm Hub Café
    Fridays, 10am–12pm (winter months)
    📍 Community Club
    📧 torie@wellmoor.org.uk

Teign Valley

  • Men in Sheds – Embercombe
    Wednesdays, 9:30am–12:30pm
    📧 teignvalleyshed@gmail.com

Support for the Farming Community

  • Farming Community Network (FCN)
    Drop-in: Fridays, Exeter Livestock Market
    🌐 fcn.org.uk
    📧 help@fcn.org.uk

  • Dartmoor Hill Farming Project
    “Big Breakfasts” events
    📞 01822 890913

  • Devon Young Farmers Club
    Chagford, Okehampton, Newton Abbot, Kenn Valley, Cheriton & Tedburn
    📧 admin@devonyfc.co.uk
    📞 01647 24120
    🌐 devonyfc.co.uk

Farming Support Helplines

  • RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution)

  • Farming Community Network (FCN)
    📞 03000 111 999 (7am–11pm daily)

Crisis Support & Helplines

If you are in immediate danger or require urgent medical attention, call 999.

If you are feeling unsafe or thinking of harming yourself, please contact:

  • Devon First Response Service: 0808 196 8708

  • Samaritans: 116 123 or 📧 jo@samaritans.org

  • TALKWORKS: 0300 555 3344

  • Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 917 7650

  • Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212

  • BeGambleAware: 0800 802 0133

  • MANKIND Initiative (support for men experiencing domestic abuse): 01823 334 244