Join Ravelin Sports Centre for Movember: Help Change the Face of Men’s Health
Movember is back, and Sport and Recreation is proud to support this important cause for the 10th year! As the leading charity dedicated to men’s health, Movember tackles some of the biggest health issues faced by men worldwide: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. By joining the Movember movement, we’re not only raising funds but also spreading awareness that can save lives. Since 2003, Movember has raised over £598 million and funded more than 1,250 projects globally. Every donation, every moustache, and every mile counts!
This year, we invite everyone at Ravelin Sports Centre to be a part of this incredible movement. We know how powerful it can be when people come together, and with your help, we can make a real difference in men’s health.
A Look Back: Our Movember Fundraising Successes
Our community has consistently stepped up for Movember, raising impressive amounts year after year. Here’s a look at how much Team UOP has raised in recent years:
- 2023: £16,056.58
- 2022: £17,011.00
- 2021: £12,238.00
- 2020: £25,549.00
- 2019: £7,657.00
- 2018: £2,977.93
- 2017: (not recorded)
- 2016: £936.86
- 2015: £502.83
Total Raised So Far: £83,468.20
Each donation, large or small, has helped fund initiatives that save lives and encourage men to be more open about their health and well-being. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2024!
Join our Movember challenge to donate and help us reach our goal of raising £18,000
How You Can Get Involved This Movember
It’s not just about growing a Mo - though it’s definitely encouraged! Here’s how you can make an impact with Team UOP:
1. Grow a Mo
The classic Movember challenge! Grow out your moustache as a sign of solidarity and start conversations around men’s health. Register and track your progress on the Movember page, share your Mo journey with friends, and help spread the word.
2. Move for Movember
Take on the challenge of moving 60km throughout November, symbolizing the 60 men lost to suicide every hour worldwide. Track your kilometres through the Movember portal or in the UOP Technogym app that all Ravelin members have access to. If you need support in getting moving our Ravelin Run Club is a great way to boost your moves and distance all in one go - you can book these through the UOP Sport app as well as many other activities. For some extra motivation, join the Athletics Club's Monday night runs, which are open to all Team UOP members.
3. Support or Attend Events
We’re hosting various events at Ravelin Sports Centre and around the community. Whether you’re joining or cheering on participants, every bit of support counts! Here’s what we have lined up:
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Climbing Everest Challenge - Wednesday 20 November - Ravelin Climbing Wall
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Mega Monthly Quiz (Gymnastics and Trampolining) - Thursday 21 November at Dockyard
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12-hour Run for Movember (Athletics) - Saturday 23 November in Portsmouth
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Movember FIFA Tournament (Men's Football) - Saturday 23 November in Portsmouth
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Silly Squash Open - Tuesday 26 November at Ravelin Sports Centre
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Walk Around the Island for Movember (Athletics) - Wednesday 27 November in Portsmouth
- Football vs. Futsal Charity Match– Thursday 28 November at Ravelin Sports Centre
- Cheer’s Night at the Races – Friday 29 November at The Liquorist
- Movember Cricket Walk (Cricket) - Saturday 30 November in Portsmouth
And that’s just the start! Check back for updates as more clubs organize activities to support Movember.
Andy's Man Club
Andy's Man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
Andy's Man Club pop-up stand
Andy's Man Club will be round campus with a pop up stand to talk anything about Movember, Andy’s Man Club, mental health and more.
- Wednesday 13 November, 1.00pm to 2.00pm at Ravelin Sports Centre
- Tuesday 19 November, 1.00pm to 2.00pm at Eldon Atrium
Why Movember Matters
Men’s health issues can often be difficult to talk about, and many men face these challenges alone. Movember is here to change that. Consider this:
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Men in the UK die 3.5 years younger than women, and tragically, suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 20–34. Movember is working to change these stats by funding mental health initiatives and promoting open conversations.
- Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with one man dying from the disease every 45 minutes. By funding early detection programs and research, Movember aims to improve survival rates.
- Testicular Cancer: Affects mostly young men, yet it’s often overlooked. Movember supports young men diagnosed with testicular cancer and funds programs for better awareness and early intervention.
Movember’s goal isn’t just about research; it’s about creating a world where men feel connected, supported, and empowered to take charge of their health.
Looking after our Mental Health | A Message from the Vice-Chancellor
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out for support. We have many services to help you including the Student Wellbeing service, our Student Life team, our Chaplaincy and much more.
Hello, my name is Professor Graham Galbraith and I am the Vice Chancellor here at the University of Portsmouth.
I wanted to take a couple of minutes to share with you a short message about mental health, which is a priority issue for me and the university.
First of all, living away from where you grew up means you might not have the same familiar support structures that you have at home.
You might experience workload pressures as part of your course.
You might have concerns about the cost of living,
or else, you might find that the decreased level of support when moving from halls of residence to private housing just a little bit tricky.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out for support.
We have many services to help you, including the student wellbeing service, our student life team, our chaplaincy and much, much more.
We are here for you and want to provide help whenever you feel you need it.
Unfortunately, what is not such good news is that too many of us are still not reaching out for that support,
especially men, or those who identify as men.
As, this month is Movember, the annual campaign focused on men's health, I would like to speak briefly about men's mental health.
Compared to female students, only small proportions of male students seek professional help for their mental health when they need it.
We want to ensure that all students access support when they need it.
It really is okay not to be okay as we all need support at different times in our lives and that is why we have that support available for you.
This year, alongside our regular support services,
we will have a special focus on creating safe spaces for male students and students who identify as male.
We will be launching peer support programs aimed at creating a sense of community and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Spaces where male students can meet regularly to discuss their mental health.
Workshops focused on mental health topics such as body image and masculinity.
And training programmes to help us all recognise the signs of when someone might be struggling.
Everyone benefits when we are aware of our mental health and become more comfortable openly talking about it.
As a member of the University of Portsmouth community, we care about you and your mental health.
Let's make 2024 the most positive year yet for all our mental health.
Support Beyond Movember
Movember is more than a month of events; it’s a movement to foster lasting change. Here are a few key resources available year-round:
- MANUP – Support site focusing on male mental health: manup.how
- Men's Minds Matter – Mental health support and resources: mensmindsmatter.org
- Shout Crisis Text Line – Text 85258 for 24/7 crisis support.
- CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58 for support.
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 for confidential support.
- MIND – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit port.ac.uk/student-life/guidance-and-support/health-and-wellbeing.
We’re excited to see everyone get involved, and we know that together, we can make a lasting impact on men’s health. Let’s do this for all the dads, brothers, friends, and colleagues out there—because it’s time to start talking and taking action. Join us at Ravelin Sports Centre this Movember, and let’s make a difference!