EP20 | James Fildes | Coffee, Community and Sliding Doors | Local Heroes Podcast

Many men suffer in silence. Some never get the chance to speak. Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50 and the North East has some of the highest rates in the country.

James Fildes knows that struggle firsthand. After battling depression and suicidal thoughts for years, the Sunderland lad who once famously got his head stuck in the railings at Roker Park came dangerously close to becoming part of that statistic. But through his darkest days, it was often the football community the friendships, the shared passion, the sense of belonging that helped keep him going. James fought back not just for himself, but for others like him.

He founded Space North East a place where men can come together, drop the mask, and open up. No waiting lists. No judgement. Just honest conversations often over a simple cup of coffee. Ironically, James was a late adopter of the "black stuff" but now he’s seen how even something as simple as sharing a brew can break down walls and start life-saving conversations. Listen now to hear how James is using coffee, and community to bring hope to men across the North East.

Tune in to this week’s Local Heroes Podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple.