Students, ambassadors and sports clubs uniting for men’s health in 2025
Movember at the University of Portsmouth has become one of those moments in the year where the whole community comes together with purpose. It’s a month dedicated to men’s mental health, testicular cancer, prostate cancer and, just as importantly, honest conversations about wellbeing. This year, the campaign was led with heart and enthusiasm by our two amazing Movember Ambassadors, Sian and Katie, who brought energy, visibility and support to every corner of campus.
Throughout November, Sian and Katie supported clubs, hosted events, encouraged donations and got people talking. Their reflections capture what this campaign meant not just to them, but to everyone who took part.
"I have been blown away by the time and effort everyone has put in! It has truly been a special month, and to be able to have this experience as an ambassador and interact with other universities. Seeing all their hard work has been super inspiring too! Thank you, UOP, for everything you have done and achieved this month!"
Sian Kearney
"The dedication and effort that UOP has put into this cause have been amazing to see! The dedication to fundraising and awareness has been inspiring to see, especially as an ambassador, seeing all of it come together! To be a part of the £1.86m raised collectively from universities all over the country is something to be proud of! Very grateful to be a part of UOP, and their help over this month!"
Katie Kimber
Fundraising Highlights
This year, the University of Portsmouth raised £15,115 for Movember - an incredible community effort made up of events, challenges and thousands of kilometres logged.
Total amount raised: £15,115
| Top fundraising clubs | Top individual fundraisers | Top moving clubs |
|---|---|---|
|
1. UOP Climbing (£2,015) |
1. Ruben Tanner (£525) | 1. Athletics: 6,427 km |
| 2. Laine (£1,345) | 2. Alex Harris (£522) | 2. Volleyball: 3,405 km |
| 3. UOP Volleyball (£1,218) | 3. Jonah Davidson (£520) | 3. Rowing: 3,236 km |
UOP RAG activity
- 18 events in total - that's one event every 1.5 days of November. All the events helped to raise valuable funds to support the Movember cause.
And while we didn’t hit this year’s donation target (we hit 84% of the target), we reached a major milestone. Since 2015, the UOP community has raised over £100,000 for Movember!
Why Movember Matters
Movember isn’t just about moustaches, it’s about supporting men who often struggle in silence. Research from the National Union of Students (2020) shows that male students are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns, placing them at higher risk of serious consequences like substance misuse, academic difficulty and suicide.
Movember’s 2024 UK report highlights similar concerns: men are more likely to smoke, drink, have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and be overweight. They are also significantly more likely to die from substance abuse, self-harm, interpersonal violence, and transport injuries.
These challenges don’t affect men alone. When male health suffers, the impact is felt by friends, partners, families, teammates, lecturers and tutors.
Movember in the UK: Progress and Projects
Funds raised across the country, including here at Portsmouth, support wide-ranging initiatives that improve men’s health and wellbeing. Some key developments include:
- Social connection and mental health projects like Gamers vs Depression, supporting teenage boys through online gaming communities.
- New messaging campaigns that challenge harmful stereotypes of masculinity, such as the Mayor of London’s “maaate” initiative.
- Sport-based mental fitness programmes, including Ahead of the Game, support those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.
- Safer e-sports environments, supported through partnerships with BLAST.
- Prostate cancer research, such as major funding for King’s College London to bring patient insight into clinical practice.
Across the UK, Movember investments have included £100k–£200k grants for targeted research, multi-million-pound collaborations, and seed funding to develop new digital tools that support men’s mental wellbeing and prostate cancer care.
Continuing the work outside of Movember
This November, Portsmouth grew moustaches, moved further, talked more, showed up, donated and supported one another. The biggest success isn’t just the money raised, it’s the conversations started, the awareness strengthened, and the sense of community built. Movember has now ended, but its message doesn’t. The way we look out for one another - on campus, in clubs, in friendships - carries on long after the moustaches fade.
The important takeaways for Movember
1. Reach out for support if you are struggling, to friends, family, an organisation such as the Samaritans or to the Student Wellbeing team.
2. Look out for your mates, brothers, fathers and course mates.