Andy’s Man Club group who supports men with their mental health, which started here in Yorkshire, has gone nationwide whilst still having lots of clubs across the region for men to access and to open up about their mental health.
Andy’s Man Club was formed in early 2016 by Halifax rugby league player Luke Ambler after his brother-in-law took his own life.
The groups’Â aim to raise awareness of mental health issues among men and its branch in Leeds has recently celebrated its 2nd anniversary.
Lisa Bourne who is a mental health activist in Leeds wrote this for Yorkshire Families on the recent celebration in West Yorkshire which took place for all ages….Â
Happy 2ndBirthday!
The 29thof January 2020 marked the 2ndanniversary of Andy’s Man Club Leeds, an inclusive talking group for men that aims to reduce suicide rates.
They celebrated this anniversary on the 2ndof February with a big party at the Brudenell Social Club Leeds, which saw businesses, bands and volunteers all come together to support Andy’s Man Club Leeds. From W2 barbers based in Roundhay giving free haircuts to Cards or Die providing free games, magicians and face-painting, mental health related activities and a tombola there was plenty of entertainment for all ages.
In-between sets of live music, visitors heard truly inspirational stories from group members who shared their positive experiences of how attending the group had helped them through periods of mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
The feeling in the room was one of immense pride, of a supportive family all there for each other as a listening ear.
The day after that party, 57 men attended Andy’s Man Club Leeds, their biggest number of attendees to date, with 5 new members! The group is run by 15 facilitators who all have lived experience of mental illness and now volunteer at Andy’s Man Club Leeds after the group helped them.
The club is doing an amazing job, going from strength to strength, and encouraging men to talk openly to promote self-care and positive attitudes towards mental health, tackle stigma and ultimately reduce the high suicide rate of men in Leeds.
They welcome new members – the group meets every Monday 7pm – 9pm at Leeds College of Building on North Street and the best way to see their latest news is via Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Andys-Man-Club-Leeds-335669746930141/
Where to attend an Andy’s Man Club Group near you:
As well as in Leeds other groups meet at 7pm on a Monday at the following locations:
Bradford: Millside Centre BD1 2HS
Bridgend: Porthcawl Rugby Club CF36 3DA
Colllydean Community Centre, Torphins Avenue, Glenrothes, KY7 6UL
Dewsbury: Union House WF13 1AS
Dundee Boomerang centre 10 Kemback Street Dundee DD4 6ET
Dunfermline: Erskine Building 4 Pilmuir Street Dunfermline KY12 7AJ
Exeter City FC, St James Park Stadium, EX4 6PX
Halifax: Shay Stadium HX1 2YS
Hartlepool: Victoria Park TS24 8BZ
Hebden Bridge: Town Hall HX7 7BY
Huddersfield: Huddersfield Fire Station, Community Room, Outcote Bank, Huddersfield, HD1 2JT
Hull: The Airco Business Lounge HU3 4DL
Leeds: Leeds College of Building North Street Leeds LS2 7QT
Manchester The Federation, 2 Federation Street, M4 4BF
Newton Abbot: Coffee #1 46 Courtenay Street Newton Abbot TQ12 2ED
North Merchiston Club Watson Crescent Edinburgh EH11 1EP
Oldham: Oasis Academy, Hollins
Road, Oldham, OL8 4JZ
Scarborough: Central Library, Vernon Road, Scarborough, YO11 2NN
Peterborough: The Focus Centre, Chestnut Ave, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, PE1 4PE
Plymouth: on course south west Hyde Park House 74 Mutley Plain PL4 6LF
Rotherham: The Centre, Brinsworth Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham, S60 5BU
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Community Rooms 197 Eyre Street Sheffield S1 3FG
Sby Lt.Johnstone FC, McDiarmid Park, Perth, PH1 2SJ
Stafford: Stafford Rugby Club Blackberry Lane Off Timberfield Road Stafford ST16 2TT
Torbay: Preston Sands Hotel, 10-12 Marine Parade, Paignton, TQ3 2NU
Wakefield: 5A Cheapside WF1 2SD
Contact Andy’s Man Club
You can also contact us on social media in the following ways:
Twitter– @AndysManClubUK
Facebook– /AndysManClub
Instagram– @AndysManClubUK
Written By Lisa Bourne who is a Time To Change Champion, founder of Mental Wellbeing Meetups facebook.com/mentalhealthevents, director and trustee of Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis and volunteer for Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service.
