Outa Puff Daddys

Group supporting male mental wellbeing & social connections

Brighton’s over 40s, male only, amateur dance crew “Outta Puff Daddys” uses its profile to encourage change in society’s approach to male mental health. The Group’s Leader and Artistic Director, Paul Jukes tells me that the group was initially founded in 2012 “We first got together as a bit of fun after taking our children to street dance classes. We rehearsed secretly to perform at their annual dance showcase and were hugely successful, so we vowed to continue dancing, and we have been ever since.”

Paul says that it was the death of a founding member in the group’s early days that drew them all closer together and was, Paul realised, “The first trigger for me on how vital this unique male social network was for our mental well-being.” This realisation was further compounded in 2017, when Paul suffered a period of depression, an experience that took Paul and those around him by surprise. He describes himself as: ”A bright, happy guy with a wonderful family … the last person you’d expect to experience such challenging emotions.” The strong social bond of the group was, Paul says, integral to his recovery.

“I believe you never truly fully recover from depression, but you can learn how to better manage your emotions and strategies to take action as soon as early signs re-appear. The crew remain an integral part of my on-going mental wellness ... and I know it is also vital to their own well-being too.”

Dancing to promote mental health awareness amongst men

Then in Spring 2020 Paul took over leadership of the group. Having no previous dance experience, he admits to having found the prospect daunting, but with a hugely supportive crew he embraced the opportunity – recognising the potential to promote mental health awareness, particularly amongst men. However, lack of experience wasn’t Paul’s only challenge, his leadership coincided with the onset of the pandemic - and lockdown.

“My first challenge was to figure out how we would stay united and continue dancing together during times of enforced isolation. I knew pandemic.” Once the rules relaxed again, the group began meeting in open spaces, with Paul teaching the crew “short, fun routines,” which he then posted online. “Along with underlying mental health messaging and strategies based on my own experiences.” Paul tells me the group’s social media content, on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, attracted thousands of followers and millions of views. “Our profile and mental health message was truly being heard and supported around the world.”

Sharing experiences and learnings

Paul is keen to highlight that the group’s members, “Are not counsellors or medically qualified in the subject of Mental Health. Instead, we use our own life experiences and learnings to share the strategies, actions and behaviours that have benefitted us. They might not be right for everyone, but it is clear from the messages we receive back from our followers that we really are making a positive impact, and this is hugely rewarding.”

Currently the group has fifteen members and everyone dances: “The dance element is really important. Working together and supporting each other [with] the same objective is a really positive experience. Particularly when after weeks of rehearsals it suddenly comes together … crew members go from “I’m never gonna do this” to “Wow, we can actually do this.”

Creating fun routines and promoting our message

Now that the group is able to meet in the dance studio once more, they continue to meet weekly and their story has been picked up and broadcast not only nationally but globally, having featured on BBC, ITV, NBC and Channel10, along with radio broadcasts, podcasts and printed features. Paul also welcomes invitations for the crew to perform live, “As this provides a fantastic opportunity to promote our underlying message in a highly unique and engaging way. Plus...we just love it!”

Additionally, Paul offers motivational talks at colleges, workplaces and events, about the importance of mental health awareness, providing insights into his own mental health experiences and strategies, and how a “bunch of dad-dancers became social media influencers.”

Encouraging men to discuss mental health issues

Paul says that he regularly receives, “Heartwarming and often emotional messages from our the biggest killer of men under 45 is suicide, which is, Paul says, not only profoundly tragic but also largely preventable.

“In some shape or form, mental health impacts everyone globally, yet the stigma still causes so much shame, fear, doubt, isolation and misunderstanding. Traditionally men have been seen as weak if they are to express vulnerabilities and show emotion. This stops men speaking freely for fear of ridicule or lack of understanding. Until we start to view mental health the same way we view physical health, we’ll continue to face the devastating consequences caused by stigma.” To anyone struggling with mental health issues, Paul would like to highlight. “You are not alone and there is help out there. In order to break the stigma we must all be more honest and open with our emotions. We need to normalise these conversations.”

The group believes that their close bond provides a safe space where they can share vulnerabilities, emotions and freely discuss their mental well-being. “Breaking through stereotypes around traditional masculinity and encouraging others to talk openly about their mental health, to seek and ask for help … and for others to listen without judgement. We are not weak to express our feelings, in fact we are stronger for it”.

Self Care – a better version of yourself

Paul also promotes the importance of self-care and social connectivity, “Research has found that loneliness can treble by late middle-age and that shared experiences have a number of positive influences on our emotional wellbeing and connectedness… participating in a noncompetitive group activity provides a sense of value and belonging.” Paul believes that self-care is vital to creating a better version of yourself, “which will only ever have a positive impact on those around you.”

Paul would like to develop a global Outta Puff Daddy Community, “Empowering and supporting the development of other likeminded dance groups.” Targeting those over the age of forty, he envisages community focused groups for men and women interested in creating new social connections and mental wellness from the shared experience of learning fun, noncompetitive dance routines.

Contact: Email: paul@outtapuffdaddys.co.uk www.outtapuffdaddys.co.uk

By Lynn Smith