In mid-2016, nine men met in a small room in the typical Yorkshire town of Halifax with a simple aim of talking through their issues and helping each other deal with their mental health. All in attendance were agreed there was a magic in that room that had to be shared. This was the start of a movement that has grown faster than anyone first involved could have ever imagined. Fast forward almost 6 years and ANDYSMANCLUB now has groups at over 126 locations across England, Scotland and Wales.
ANDYSMANCLUB takes its name from Andrew Roberts, a man who sadly took his own life aged 23 in early 2016. Andy’s family had no inkling that he was suffering or struggling to the extent that he would do this, and as a result looked deeper into male suicide and men’s mental health. They soon discovered that male suicide is the biggest killer of men under 54, with Male Mental Health surrounded by well-ingrained cultural stigma in the UK. Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler are Andy’s Mum and Brother-in-Law, together they came up with the idea of ANDYSMANCLUB, a group where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their mental health in a judgment-free, non-clinical environment. Groups now operate nationwide and are completely volunteer-led, with the vast majority of group facilitators having first interacted with ANDYSMANCLUB when they came through the door as a service user.
With their service used on a weekly basis by over 2800 men, and an army of over 1000 volunteers on board, the movement is continuing to grow on a week by week basis.
To attend ANDYSMANCLUB, drop us an email – [email protected]. or head to www.andysmanclub.co.uk, find your nearest club, and simply attend!
If you are interested in being added to our directory please fill in the form below with your details.
H100 Fife is the world’s first green hydrogen neighbourhood. The project is run by gas distribution company SGN and will provide carbon-free heating to homes in Levenmouth in Fife from 2025. It will provide critical evidence which could help decarbonise home heating throughout the UK and it all starts here! Check out h100fife.co.uk for more.
Research shows people with poor mental health can struggle to communicate effectively with their energy provider, which is why SGN has partnered with Mental Health UK on its Mental Health & Money Advice Service, providing holistic advice to customers living with poor mental health to ensure that they get help to maintain a safe and warm home.