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By Marc Browne, Health Trainer, East Midlands
In the East Midlands, Ingeus delivers the Health Trainer programme supporting People on Probation (PoPs) in Leicester and Leicestershire with their identified health and wellbeing goals. This support can range from helping someone register with a GP or dentist, to attending medical appointments and multi‑agency meetings alongside them.
For many of the people we work with, accessing health and wellbeing services isn’t always straightforward. Demand in the community is high, waiting times can be challenging, and for those with additional or complex needs, navigating these systems can feel overwhelming.
But the impact goes beyond the individual. When people are supported to improve their health and wellbeing, it creates a ripple effect. Strengthening families, reducing pressure on local services, and helping communities feel safer, more stable and more connected.
That’s where our role comes in. But for me, it’s not just about access, it’s about connection.
Men’s Health Week is an important reminder that health isn’t just about physical fitness, it’s about mental wellbeing, social connection and the ability to ask for help when you need it.
We know that mental and physical health are closely linked. When one suffers, the other often follows. Add in the pressures of daily life: work, finances, family responsibilities, and it’s easy to deprioritise wellbeing.
For men in particular, talking openly about health can still feel difficult. That’s why communication is such a big part of what we do as Health Trainers.
One thing I’ve seen time and time again in my role is how quickly health can decline when someone feels disconnected. That sense of isolation can have a real impact on both mental and physical wellbeing.
A big part of our work is helping people rebuild those connections. That might be through attending appointments together, linking them with local support, or simply being someone who listens without judgement.
Like anyone else, I can sometimes feel overwhelmed, so I make it a priority to engage in activities that support my own health.
For the past ten years, I’ve been playing football with a group of men every Sunday evening. It’s something I genuinely look forward to. Not just for the physical side, but for the social connection it brings.
After a long week, it can be tempting to stay at home and switch off. But getting out, being active, and spending time with others makes a huge difference.
As a man in my 50s, it’s not always easy. But the enjoyment, camaraderie and sense of belonging keep me going back week after week.
Feeling connected to your community is vital. When the people we support at Ingeus feel disconnected, their health outcomes often decline. This is something we’re always mindful of within the Health Trainer service, and part of what we help individuals rebuild.
Earlier this year, that Sunday football group led to something I never expected - the opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium through the FA’s Just Play programme.
Just Play is all about bringing people together through recreational football. The initiative recognises people who contribute to youth football and local communities. Celebrating the fact that real cohesion and progress begin at community level. Standing alongside people who all wanted to give back and empower others was incredibly inspiring. The parallels with our work at Ingeus were unmistakable.
Walking into Wembley, seeing the changing rooms used by top players, and stepping out onto that pitch was unforgettable. These focused on coaching young people and, importantly, on how effective communication drives engagement and success.
The key message I took away was this: communication is everything. When we clearly express what we need or expect – and when others can understand and act on that communication – everyone succeeds. This applies both on and off the pitch!
The biggest takeaways for me were:
For me, everything comes back to connection. Whether it’s on a football pitch, in a conversation, or supporting someone through their health journey like we do as health trainers. Being able to communicate openly and feel connected to others makes a real difference.
Through the Health Trainer service, that’s what we provide. It’s not just about helping people access services, it’s about giving them the confidence to speak up, ask for support and take positive steps forward. That individual progress doesn’t happen in isolation - it has a wider impact. Stronger individuals contribute to stronger communities, creating safer, healthier environments for everyone.
This Men’s Health Week, it’s a reminder that communication and connection aren’t just “nice to have”, they are essential. Whether in our own lives or in the work we do, taking that first step to connect can be the start of something much bigger.
Marc Browne is a manager for Ingeus’ Health Trainer services based in the East Midlands. Marc has experience working in custody and probation before joining Ingeus’ justice services to support support people on probation to access the health services they need and make positive lifestyle changes. Marc is passionate about achieving better outcomes for the people we support and for Ingeus employees to develop their potential through this work.
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