ARE YOU ALRIGHT MATE? - Torquay

A conversation that could end up on a railway station. Imagine walking through a railway station and seeing a face looking back at you. You scan a QR code. Suddenly, you're listening to a real man talking about something he went through. That's the idea behind ARE YOU ALRIGHT MATE? - a new public art project putting real men's experiences of mental health into an unexpected public space. We're looking for five men from the Torquay area to help us start a conversation about suicide prevention. Come and have a conversation You'll spend approximately 1.5 hours one-to-one with the Alright Mate? team. There will be no script and no test. It's simply an opportunity to talk about your experiences - the good, the bad and everything in between. You might talk about mental health, difficult periods, isolation, friendship, relationships, suicide, things you've struggled with, or the people and experiences that have helped you get through. You only have to share what you're comfortable sharing. We're particularly interested in stories that are honest, human and ultimately hopeful. You don't need to have everything figured out. In fact, that's rather the point. Your story could become part of a public artwork After the conversation, you'll have the opportunity to have your portrait taken. The finished artwork will combine black and white portraits with recordings of the participants' stories. Visitors to the railway station will be able to scan a QR code and hear the voices behind the faces. Not comfortable having your face used? No problem. You can instead work with a wet plate photographer to create an alternative image for the project. Before you book This session involves talking openly about mental health and may include discussion of difficult experiences, including suicide, bereavement, isolation and periods of poor mental health. You will never be asked to share anything you don't want to. The conversation will be led sensitively by the Alright Mate? team, and you can pause or stop the session at any time. If you feel this might be difficult for you right now, please consider whether taking part is right for you. You don't need to have your story all worked out - just come as you are. Who should book? We're inviting local men to take part. You don't need to be experienced at talking about mental health, and you don't need to think of yourself as someone who has particular expertise. If you've lived through a difficult time, experienced isolation, supported someone else, or simply think men need more opportunities to talk openly about life, we'd love you to be part of the conversation. Event details Date: Saturday 17 October 2026 Time: 10.30am–5pm - you'll be allocated an individual 1.5-hour session within this timeframe Venue: Pete's Dragons, The White House, 42–44 The Terrace, Torquay Places: 5 individual spaces Cost: Suggested donation from £5 *All donations go directly back into the work of Alright Mate CIC Booking: Advance booking is essential Please select a time when booking that works for you. If you have any access requirements, please contact us directly after booking on: [email protected] and we can advise. ARE YOU ALRIGHT MATE? is delivered by Alright Mate? CIC in partnership with Great Western Railway, alongside the Samaritans, Andy's Man Club and Pete's Dragons. The resulting portraits and stories are planned to become part of a new railway station installation launching in January 2027. One conversation can start another. Are you alright mate?