Share
The Black Country Blokes
Live With Award-Winning Public Figure Joe Plumb
Tonight we are joined by Award-Winning Public Figure Joe Plumb, Joe is an ambassador at Kidscape which provides children, families, carers and professionals with advice, training and practical tools to prevent bullying and protect young lives. He also writes for @MetroUk and is part of @ITV #BritainGetTalking
From a young age, Joe was bullied, assaulted and isolated. As a result of the bullying, Joe was admitted to a psychiatric unit in the UK after attempting to take his own life. At the age of 12, Joe got into volunteering at a specialist youth cafe devoted to young people with additional needs and who were getting into trouble. Joe continued to volunteer for National organisations such as the British Medical Association, The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services and The British Youth Council.
At the age of 13 Joe set up the 'Speak Up, Speak Out’ campaign with support from James Arthur, Sinitta Malone and Richard Branson, the campaign went global.
Joe in partnership with the Home Office, developed a supportive disclosure toolkit to help those with Autism and other additional learning needs, better communicate what was going on if they were experiencing bullying.
Where to find Joe:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JoePlumbUK/
Instagram: @joeplumbuk
Twitter: @JoePlumbUK
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #selflove #love #anxiety #motivation #depression #health #mentalhealthmatters #mindfulness #life #wellness #loveyourself #fitness #inspiration #healing #happiness #positivity #positivevibes #covid #quotes #therapy #mindset #meditation #mentalillness #instagood #happy #psychology
Where to find The Black Country Blokes:
https://www.facebook.com/theblackcoun...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaf9...
https://twitter.com/BlackcountryThe
https://www.instagram.com/theblackcou...
Please subscribe, share, follow, and like.
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
The bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Men's Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 6 pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
OCD Action
Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5 pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm)
Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm, and 2 pm to 5 pm on weekends)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Text care: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
More episodes
View all episodes
249. Beyond “Just Talk, Lads”: Spartan Mental Fitness & The Truth About Men’s Mental Health
38:55||Ep. 249In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, Kev and Lee are joined by long-time friend DR Emily Barney from Spartannn Brain Gym– back in the very room where she now runs her mental fitness sessions.Together, they dive into a big question:Is the message “men just need to talk” actually helping – or does it oversimplify a much bigger problem?They get properly stuck into:Why saying “he should’ve talked” can sound a lot like blaming the bloke who’s diedHow men do ask for help – and how often nobody really listensThe reality of trying to get support when services are underfunded and impossible to accessPhones, doomscrolling, dopamine and whether we’re all addicted to constant stimulationThe pressure to provide, being a dad, and that “messy middle” of life where everyone wants a piece of youEmily’s idea of “mental fitness” – training your brain like a muscle with “mental press-ups”, gratitude reps and tiny daily winsWhy our brains are “Velcro for negatives, Teflon for positives” – and what you can actually do about itThey also talk about taking this work into prisons, rowing challenges to represent the number of men lost to suicide, and why treating people as humans not statistics might just be the start of real change.If you’ve ever felt like you should be grateful but your head says otherwise, or you’re sick of being told to “man up” and “just talk”, this one’s for you.👉 If you want to connect with Emily, look up Spartannn Brain Gym / Spartannn mental fitness training online. 👉 Follow, share and tag us to keep the conversation going: #MensMentalHealth #BlackCountryBlokes #MentalFitness #DadsSupportingDads248. "Running Through the Storm: Aid’s New York Marathon for Men’s Mental Health"
39:19||Ep. 248In this powerful and funny episode of The Black Country Blokes, Kev and Lee sit down with their long-time mate Adrian (“Aid”), who’s gearing up to run the New York Marathon to raise money for The Black Country Blokes C.I.C. and support men’s mental health.What starts as a catch-up between three dads turns into an honest chat about fatherhood, guilt, burnout, running as therapy, and the fine line between bravery and breakdown. Aid shares how discipline beats motivation, why bad runs can be as valuable as good ones, and the moment he got so fed up he even told a rainbow to f*** off — then kept going.👉 Support Aid’s run: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adrian-cutler?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL 👉 Share the episode and tag us: #MensMentalHealth #BlackCountryBlokes #DadsSupportingDads #MarathonForHope #HoldOnToHope247. Hamza Uddin: Focused, Firing & Ready for October
27:48||Ep. 247In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, we sit down with rising talent Hamza Uddin ahead of his much-anticipated return to the ring this October.Hamza opens up about:🥊 His mindset going into camp🔥 Lessons learned from early career highs and challenges🎯 The pressure of expectations and staying grounded💬 What fans can expect when he steps through the ropes nextThis is a focused, honest, and driven young fighter with something to prove — and he’s ready to do just that.#HamzaUddin #BoxingPodcast #BlackCountryBlokes #MatchroomBoxing #FightWeek #OctoberFight #BehindTheScenes #MensMentalHealth
246. “Six Years of Real Talk: Gratitude, Growth & Grassroots Impact”
10:09||Ep. 246In this heartfelt episode, Kev Dillon and Lee Cadman look back on six incredible years of The Black Country Blokes podcast — a journey that started with a mobile phone in a classroom and has grown into a multi-award-winning platform changing lives across the UK.They discuss:Receiving new National Lottery Community Fund backing for their Blokes United mental health projectThe evolution of the podcast from grassroots to national impactWorking with inspiring guests — from amateur coaches to professional fighters and everyday heroesHeartwarming stories, like the listener who helped save a life after hearing an episodeWhy the mission remains the same: real conversations that save livesThis episode is a love letter to the community — a celebration of resilience, brotherhood, and staying true to your moral compass. Whether you're a first-time listener or a long-time supporter, this one’s for you.🎙️ Thank you for six years. Here’s to many more.#BlackCountryBlokes #MentalHealthMatters #MensMentalHealth #GrassrootsSupport #Gratitude #CommunityMatters #BlokesUnited #AuthenticVoices #NationalLottery @TNLComFund
245. Brotherly Bonds: Jack Vaughan on Louie, Autism, ADHD & Community Work
01:01:36||Ep. 245In this heartfelt episode, we’re joined by Jack Vaughan, a passionate advocate and former team member of More Mascots Please C.I.C. Jack shares his moving story about his younger brother Louie, who lives with both autism and ADHD, and how those experiences inspired his journey into community work and inclusion.We discuss:What it’s like growing up with a sibling who is neurodivergentThe realities of autism and ADHD — beyond the labelsHow Jack’s community involvement helped shape local supportThe importance of empathy, patience, and understandingThis episode is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a family, and behind every challenge is a story of strength.🎙️ Tune in and be part of the conversation that truly matters.Real talk. Real life. Real people.
244. The Savage Within: Sam Eggington on Boxing, Pressure, and Mental Resilience
38:48||Ep. 244This week on The Black Country Blokes, we sit down with Sam ‘Savage’ Eggington — one of the Black Country’s toughest and most respected boxers. Known for his all-action style and relentless determination, Sam has held British, Commonwealth, European, and WBA International titles during his career.In this honest and hard-hitting conversation, Sam talks about:Life inside and outside the ringCoping with loss and bouncing backMental health in the world of professional sportThe importance of having the right people in your corner — in boxing and in life🎙️ Another powerful conversation about real life, real struggles, and real strength.Real blokes. Real talk.
243. Healing Minds & Bodies: Mental Health Beyond the Surface
01:10:35||Ep. 243In tonight’s powerful episode of The Black Country Blokes, we’re joined by two outstanding guests changing lives from the inside out.Gav, a dedicated physiotherapist, shares how he goes beyond muscles and joints—addressing the mental health of his patients to achieve deeper healing and lasting outcomes. From boxing gyms to bodywork, Gav reminds us that physical pain often has emotional roots.Pras, a former forensic mental health practitioner who’s worked with men in prisons, now teaches others how to approach mental health with empathy, understanding, and evidence-based practice. His journey from the prison system to the classroom is filled with lessons on vulnerability, safe spaces, and the link between psychology and crime.💬 This is an honest, uplifting, and deeply human episode that shows the strength in vulnerability and the power of truly seeing people.🎬 Episode Highlights:🎯 Pain, Depression & the Mind-Body Link🥊 Boxing Gyms: More Than Just Sport🧠 Positive Thinking & Brain Training🏥 Empathy in Healthcare: More Than Medicine🔐 Forensic Mental Health: Where Psychology Meets Crime🛡️ Community & Safe Spaces Matter💬 The Strength in Vulnerability#TheBlackCountryBlokes #MentalHealthMatters #MensMentalHealth #PhysiotherapyAndMind #ForensicPsychology #HealingThroughEmpathy #SafeSpaces #StrengthInVulnerability #BoxingForMentalHealth #MindBodyConnection #BeyondTheSurface
242. Living Loud: ADHD, Music & Finding Roots
39:29||Ep. 242In this heartfelt episode of The Black Country Blokes, we’re joined by 17-year-old Jamie and Kirsty from Roots, a youth support organisation that changes lives by creating safe spaces and real community.Jamie opens up about his personal journey living with ADHD—from challenges at school to finding his passion in music. He shares what it’s like navigating the world when your brain works differently and how understanding, structure, and creativity have made all the difference.Kirsty talks about her role at Roots, where she first met Jamie, and how youth clubs like theirs are crucial for helping young people thrive, especially when they’re neurodiverse or struggling with mental health.🎧 This episode is raw, honest, and full of hope.#TheBlackCountryBlokes #ADHDAwareness #NeurodiversityMatters #RootsYouthClub #YouthSupport #TeenMentalHealth #MusicAndMentalHealth #BlackCountryVoices #ADHDJourney #BreakingTheStigma #ListenToYoungPeople
241. Every Day in May: Raising Awareness for Dravet Syndrome
39:56||Ep. 241In this heartfelt episode of The Black Country Blokes, we shine a spotlight on Dravet Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening form of epilepsy that affects children from infancy. Host Lee Cadman opens up about his personal motivation to take on the Every Day in May Challenge—a daily commitment to raise money and awareness for Dravet Syndrome UK, inspired by the incredible journey of a young warrior: Calla-Rose.Lee shares why this cause is so close to his heart, what the challenge involves, and how you can get involved to help make a real difference. Whether you're a parent, carer, advocate, or just someone who wants to help, this episode will inspire you to take action and support families living with the daily realities of rare diseases.🧠 Let’s raise awareness. Let’s raise hope. Let’s raise funds.🌟 Support the Cause | Every Day in May Challenge for Dravet Syndrome UKI'm raising money this May for Dravet Syndrome UK in honour of Calla-Rose. Join me in making a difference:👉 Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lee-cadman-1📅 About the challenge: https://www.dravet.org.uk/event/every-day-in-may-for-dravet-2025💜 Follow Calla-Rose’s journey: https://www.facebook.com/courageouscalla/about/?locale=en_GB#TheBlackCountryBlokes #DravetSyndrome #EveryDayInMay #CourageousCalla #DravetSyndromeUK #RareDiseaseAwareness #CallaRose #MensMentalHealth #DoItForCalla #SupportRareDiseases #HopeInAction #FundraiserChallenge #MakeADifference