A major new partnership between People’s Health Trust, the men’s charity Movember and the UK Government, has been unveiled today, aiming to address stark health inequalities faced by men and older boys across England.
At the centre of the initiative is the Men’s Health Community Fund, which will invest at least £6.3 million into grassroots and community organisations working in the country’s most deprived areas. The funding is designed to support men experiencing some of the poorest health outcomes, particularly during key life transitions such as becoming a father, losing a job, or entering retirement.
The move comes amid growing concern over widening health disparities. Government figures show that men in the most disadvantaged communities can die up to a decade earlier than those in wealthier areas. Average healthy life expectancy for men in England has fallen to 60.9 years—its lowest level in a decade—and drops to just 50.9 years in some regions.
The fund will focus on tackling the underlying social and economic factors driving poor health, including insecure housing, low income, and limited access to education and services. It will also support initiatives addressing mental health, debt, isolation and family relationships—issues that disproportionately affect men.
Community organisations are expected to play a central role. Research shows men are more likely to seek help through local groups and informal networks, yet many of these services remain underfunded. Grants will enable organisations to expand support, from projects for new fathers to programmes tackling loneliness and improving engagement with healthcare.
The initiative forms part of the Government’s wider Men’s Health Strategy launched last year. Applications for funding will open in summer 2026, with grants awarded later in the year.
People’s Health Trust is also calling for additional support, with donations to its appeal matched up to £300,000, amplifying the impact of the programme.
John Hume, CEO, People’s Health Trust said: ‘People’s Health Trust is proud to be a partner in this innovative programme with the Government and Movember. Our expertise in working with communities to improve health outcomes ensures we reach men at the sharp end of poor health.
‘We design approaches that work for men and connect them with essential support through organisations and people they trust. This programme, along with our Men’s Health Fund Appeal, enables us to address the widening and avoidable inequalities in health experienced by different groups of men across the country. Improving men’s health is good for men, families, communities and businesses.’
Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember UK, added: ‘Almost every community has been impacted by losing men they care about too young. Thanks to our incredible supporters, Movember has been funding work going to where men are for over 20 years.
‘This partnership will scale and learn from incredible organisations supporting men in their communities, while embedding care that works for men in health systems.
‘We look forward to working together with government, health services and our friends in the third sector to grow these partnerships and drive forward the Men’s Health Strategy for England.’
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