How LEGO Helped Potteries Man 'Rebuild'

Just over two years ago, Neil Walker (aka StokieLogo) picked up a box of Leg for the first time in decades. It was an ordinary action, yet one which became the catalyst for change in Neil's life.

A proud to Stokie, hailing from Sneyd Green. Neil has long held community at his heart “My roots run deep in this vibrant community, and I’ve always thrived on connecting with the people around me”.

A volunteer with the Samaritans, and part of the team behind men’s mental health group Men Unite, Neil, who also connects people through the Sneyd Green community Facebook page, failed to recognise his own needs.

“For as long as I can remember, supporting others has been an integral part of my life. Yet, for a significant period, I failed to recognise that I was in need of support myself”.

Starting as a playful escape from the complexities of daily life. For Neil immersing himself in Lego was simply something fun to do — a hobby to occupy his mind. Until he started noticing its deeper effect on his own mental health.

As the weeks and month’s passed building LEGO was no longer  merely recreational; it became a type of meditation for the former Stoke-on-Trent City Council worker. Each brick he assembled brought a sense of calm and focus.

It was in those moments, Neil was able to shut out the noise of the world, step away from his worries, and become completely immersed in the act of creating.

“It was therapeutic without me even realising it. Slowly, LEGO transformed into a coping mechanism — a way to navigate the emotional turbulence I had kept bottled up”.

What had initially begun as a casual hobby soon developed into an important part of Neil’s life. Lego bought a sense of accomplishment.

"It gave me a feeling after completing each set that was more than just satisfaction; it was a reminder that I could build something beautiful, even when I felt broken inside”.

A Logbook Turns into a Community

Neil upped the ante, creating a digital logbook by setting up a social media page to document the LEGO sets he’d built. It was a simple way to keep track of his creations, a way to share with the rest of Stoke and the world what he was doing -it was just the beginning.

“A friend of mine, studying marketing, offered to help me improve my posts. With their guidance, I started experimenting with more creative content. I embraced the challenge, putting more thought and effort into each post.”

Neil saw an instant response. The social media likes started pouring in, as he steadily began to grow a following a community, based not just on Lego but its impact on his life

“People connected not only with the LEGO builds but also with the story behind them. Sharing my journey, struggles, and small victories resonated with others. It wasn’t just about bricks and sets anymore — it was about connection”.

Recognition from LEGO

As Neil’s fame in the local and LEGO world grew, something extraordinary happened – LEGO themselves took notice.

“It started subtly — a few likes on my posts, a couple of thoughtful comments. I was thrilled but didn’t dare expect more. But then, the unimaginable became reality. LEGO reached out to me on Instagram, expressing interest in sharing my content on their official social media channels. It felt like a dream come true, a genuine pinch-me moment”.

It was a surreal moment, one which played a core role in Neil’s own journey to healing. It was a reminder of how far he’d travelled, of how a simple pastime could develop into something far more.

“I’ve kept in touch with LEGO, and I’m hopeful that future collaborations might be on the horizon”.

The Impact on Mental Health

To say that Lego has been a lifeline for Neil is an understatement. It has supported him to build not only intricate creations but more importantly, parts of himself which felt fragmented.

“In those quiet hours of focused creativity, I found peace. I discovered how important it was to allow myself to exist in the moment, to embrace calm amidst life’s chaos.

Beyond his own personal healing, Neil has found that LEGO has become a tool for encouraging mental health discussions.

Through his involvement with Men Unite, and other groups, Neil has shared how building and creating can bring therapeutic benefits.

“It’s opened conversations about self-care and the unexpected ways hobbies can support mental well-being. Sharing my LEGO builds has brought people together, sparking conversations and forming connections. People from all walks of life have reached out to share their stories, their joys, and even their struggles."

Looking Ahead

Continuing his journey, Neil has spoken of his excitement about what’s to come. Whether it’s collaborating further with LEGO or growing the online community, he’s determined to use the platform to spread positivity and support.

“LEGO taught me that rebuilding takes time, patience, and trust in the process. It reminded me that even the smallest piece can be part of something extraordinary. And most importantly, it showed me that healing is possible — one brick at a time”.

Stokie Lego for a Stokie Centenary

However, for Neil the biggest moment recently has been what happened just short months ago. Having worked for the City Council, Neil knew the SoT100 Centenary Celebrations were on the horizon. So, when he was approached to recreate the centenary logo— designed by Becky Smith and featuring some amazing local symbols like the Spitfire, a mining wheel, bottle oven and a pottery kiln — out of Lego he was genuinely honoured.

“It was a real challenge for me, because I haven’t done many MOC (My Own Creation) builds before. Plus, I needed some rare colours like dark blue and gold, which aren’t easy to come by. So, I reached out to the local community to see if anyone could help — and they absolutely did. Lovely families and individuals donated bricks, messaged me kind words — proper Stoke spirit through and through. Any leftover bricks will either go to the Samaritans shops or towards starting up some LEGO therapy groups, which I’d love to get off the ground soon”.

Taking around 70 hours to build Neil has used 4,016 bricks and his handywork is now on display at the Potteries Museum until the end of June, and after that, it’ll go on tour around the four city libraries as part of their LEGO clubs.

“I honestly just hope it inspires someone. Whether it’s picking up some bricks, painting, writing — anything creative. LEGO helped me in ways I never expected, and if sharing my journey helps someone else discover that same spark, then I’ll be proud of every single brick.”

"Stoke-on-Trent is where my heart is. This is where I’m from, and I’ll always shout up for my city. Being StokieLego isn’t just about building with bricks — it’s about building community, confidence, and hope”.