November isn’t just about growing questionable moustaches. Movember exists to tackle serious issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health. That last one doesn’t get talked about enough, especially in workplaces.
This month, Harry and Conor from the Work.Life team are completing one challenge every Sunday to raise money and awareness for Movember. Week one? A half marathon through East London.
This is why it matters.
Sunday morning. Whitechapel start line. Two slightly optimistic team members about to run 13.1 miles.
The route: Whitechapel → Haggerston → Victoria Park → around West Ham Stadium → back home.
Harry: “It was long, it was hard, but it was worth it.”
Their legs were mush afterwards. But they felt proud. Rewarded themselves with canapés, toad in the hole, and time with friends.
Here’s the thing though – the run wasn’t just about the distance or the fundraising. For both of them, movement is how they manage their mental health.
Harry’s perspective:
“Movement is really important for my wellbeing and sometimes it’s the last thing I want to do when I am feeling low. However, learning to understand that my body and my mind always benefit from that movement was a big lesson in helping me deal with my own mental health issues.”
That’s the paradox. When you need movement most, you want it least. When you’re feeling low, the idea of going for a run sounds impossible. But the body and mind benefit every time.
Conor’s take:
“I’ve got an annoyingly busy/loud brain and whilst I don’t run enough, yesterday reminded me of the meditative effects running/exercise can have on your body and mind.”
The busy brain. The loud thoughts. The constant mental noise. Exercise doesn’t solve everything, but it creates space. It quiets things down temporarily. For people with brains that won’t shut up, that matters.
Here’s what the numbers say:
Mental health in the workplace compounds this. There’s still a culture in many offices where showing vulnerability – especially for men – feels risky. Admitting you’re struggling, asking for help, taking time for wellbeing; these things shouldn’t be difficult, but they often are.
Harry mentions another crucial piece:
“Having friends like Conor who I can talk to gives me the support network I need to be my best self.”
Support networks matter. Not just professionally, but genuinely. Having people you can actually talk to, who understand, who won’t judge – that’s not optional for mental health at work. It’s essential.
Supporting men’s mental health (and everyone’s mental health) isn’t about putting up posters during Mental Health Awareness Week and calling it done. It requires actual structural support.
Things we’ve built into how we work:
Flexible wellbeing benefits
Through Heka, our benefits platform, team members get a generous allowance to spend on what genuinely supports their health and happiness. For some that’s therapy. For others it’s gym memberships, yoga classes, or sports equipment. Everyone’s different.
Movement options
Our spaces have shower facilities and bike storage because we know people use exercise to manage wellbeing. If you want to run at lunch or cycle to work, those things should be easy.
Community and connection
Regular team events, member socials, and spaces designed for both collaboration and quiet focus. Isolation makes mental health harder. Community helps.
Open conversations
When team members like Harry and Conor can talk openly about mental health, run half marathons for Movember, and share why it matters – that normalises these conversations. It makes it easier for others to speak up.
Actual time off
Generous leave policies and the genuine expectation that people use them. Mental health days shouldn’t require lying about being “sick.” Taking time for wellbeing should be standard.
Harry and Conor aren’t stopping at one half marathon. They’re doing one challenge every Sunday in November. Four Sundays. Four challenges. All to raise money and awareness for Movember.
Because men’s mental health needs more than one month of attention, but if Movember gets more people talking, moving, and seeking support – that’s worthwhile.
Support the Work.Life Movember team:
Donate or join the team at movember.com/t/work-life-movember
Start your own movement practice:
You don’t need to run a half marathon. A 20-minute walk helps. Dancing in your kitchen helps. Anything that gets your body moving and your mind a brief break helps.
Talk about it:
Not in a forced “let’s have a Serious Conversation About Mental Health™” way. Just… actually talk. Check in with people. Be honest when someone asks how you are. Create space for real conversations.
Build your support network:
Find your people. The ones you can actually talk to. Who get it. Who won’t make it weird when you’re struggling. Like Harry said – having friends who you can talk to gives you the support network you need.
Make space for wellbeing at work:
If you’re managing people or influencing workplace wellbeing culture, create actual structural support. Not just posters. Not just awareness days. Flexible benefits, time off, movement options, genuine community, and open conversations.
At Work.Life, we talk about making work life happy. That’s not just about nice furniture and good coffee (though those help). It’s about creating environments where people can actually thrive.
For men’s mental health specifically, that means:
Harry and Conor running half marathons every Sunday isn’t just fundraising. It’s demonstrating that mental health at work matters enough to actually do something about it.
Whether you’re supporting the Movember team, starting your own movement practice, or just trying to have more honest conversations about mental health at work – it all helps.
Support the Work.Life Movember team – donate or join the challenge.
Want to work somewhere that actually supports mental health? Check out our current openings or book a tour of our spaces.
And if you’re struggling with your mental health: talk to someone. Call Samaritans (116 123), text SHOUT (85258), or speak to your GP. Asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s the smartest thing you can do.
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Let us know some more information using the form below — we usually reply within an hour during business hours. Prefer to chat? Give us a call on 020 3349 8269 — we’d love to hear from you!