Tell us about the programme
All Jokes Aside helps male-identifying students at UCL feel better. Our goal is to help guys get the benefits of sport, exercise and community, in an accessible way. We started in January 2024, and are now running activity every week during term time.
Across our programme, there's something for everyone. All the sport and activity sessions are free, relatively short (max 1 hour), and run by people that care about sport and community.
Want to try a new sport? Come and play Pickleball on a Tuesday night.
Want to get fitter and stronger? Come to Joe's Friday Night Fitness Club.
Want to get your steps up, and meet (probably) the best dog in the world? Join Steve and Buddy for a dog walk every other Wednesday!
I've found 'All Jokes Aside' sessions quite helpful for my physical and mental wellbeing. Honestly, playing Pickleball has lately become a constant highlight in my week. Since the very beginning it has been the perfect environment for me where I have felt included and welcomed by the coach and rest of participants. I'm very glad that male students can have the possibility to access this fun, useful and free activities at UCL.
Orlando, Masters student
Why is it important?
Male students don't access support services at the same rate that other students do. At the same time, mental health amongst boys and men is on the decline. Mental health and support from friends and family is hugely beneficial, but in general, intimate, face to face spaces aren't easy to access for male students.
Living in London and studying at UCL are both busy, fast paced and intense. It's nearly impossible to take time for yourself, keep on top of deadlines, make and find time for friends, and join a club or society all at once. Something always gives.
To address these issues, All Jokes Aside focuses on shorter length, 'shoulder-to-shoulder' activities. The focus is the activity, which takes the pressure of conversation. It's also pretty easy to take an hour for a dog walk, or play Pickleball, especially when everything we run is on campus.
We're offering consistent access to free activity that's good for the body and mind, and creating a community where people can make friends.
Why should I come along?
Every week, we speak to students who tell us that this programme helps them. Our Dog Walks have given people a space to slow down after intense periods of study and air out difficulties in a safe space. Pickleball and Spikeball sessions have connected people in unexpected ways, through meeting fellow course mates for the first time, or people from the same country.
There is always a new interaction, someone playing a sport for the first time, something meaningful happening in this programme. You should come along because it's fun to play Pickleball, to walk a Buddy the dog, to crush a fitness class. The extra stuff? The friendships, the conversations; that's all a bonus that is never the main event, but always has a positive effect.
This is one of the most impactful programmes I've delivered. After working in sport for nearly 10 years, that's saying a lot.
I have really enjoyed taking the time out for these walks with Tommy, Stephen and his dog Buddy around Bloomsbury. This is a great opportunity to slow down and just have a chat about anything with some really genuine people. We all have our good and bad days in London, so having these regular sessions to check in with one another can be a big support throughout your studies.
Tom, PhD student
How do I sign up?
It's easy! Head to the All Jokes Aside page and sign up to any of the events on there!
Got any questions, or want to see a specific session? Email teamucl@ucl.ac.uk.