Andy’s Man Club – Never Walk Alone
Andy’s Man Club – Never Walk Alone
As beautiful as Cumbria is, the winters here can be long, harsh, and bleak, and given that it is an area of the UK that has a higher rate of suicide, especially amongst young men, Andy’s Man Club could be a real lifeline to many, there has never been a better time to look at who they are and what they do.
Andy’s Man Club is a registered charity that was set up after a young man named Andy Roberts sadly took his own life. His mother and brother-in-law realised that men needed somewhere they could go, to vent and gain support in a non-clinical environment—something that could have saved Andy—and so Andy’s Man Club was born.
The group now has over 120 clubs across the country and is growing. Cumbria’s first club was opened in January this year in Workington by Steve Brown. Steve said:
“I happened to come across Andy’s Man Club online and quickly realised that West Cumbria was crying out for a group like this, a safe, confidential space where men can come together to support each other and talk about their worries and frustrations amongst others going through similar situations.”
The sessions run every Monday at 7 p.m. (except bank holidays) and are free to attend. When Steve held his first session, he was taken aback when 40 men walked through the door, a clear indication that this kind of facility has been much needed in the area. Now the group has some of the highest numbers of attendance in the whole of the UK, with at least 50 men turning up most weeks, Steve said:
“It’s a really relaxed and casual atmosphere; there’s a warm welcome waiting for everybody. Whether you’ve been before or this is your very first time, we will make sure you feel comfortable. There’s also no pressure to talk; if you’re not ready to talk yet, that’s fine; you just pass the ball on to the next lad, and you’re welcome to just listen in.”
You don’t have to be suicidal or even depressed to join the group; it is open to any man over the age of 18 who feels they would benefit from the support we offer.
Steve said, “We have a huge age range and diversity of men, from older gentlemen who come because they’re maybe a bit lonely to young lads in their 20s who are struggling with something. I find that once people have been coming for a little while, they become comfortable, they really lean on each other, and once they start feeling better, they then begin to support someone else, which in turn makes them feel better.
It really has become a brotherhood; all of the men who come to the group care about not only getting better themselves but helping others do the same. We’re breaking the stigma around men coming together to talk things through in a non-judgmental environment, because ultimately it saves lives.”
Thanks to Steve, there are now more groups opening around the county, and lots are planned to open over the next 12 months. Cockermouth and Maryport both recently opened groups, and Carlisle is set to open over the next few weeks, with a new group in Whitehaven also in the pipeline which will be taking over from the long running Mind Ya Marra’s who have operated in Whitehaven over the last four years and have been a lifeline for many men in the area.
They also hold an online group each week for anyone who maybe feels they’re not ready for a face-to-face meeting or physically can’t attend; again, this is held at 7 p.m. every Monday. If you would like to join an online group, simply email [email protected]
If you or someone you know feels they would like to give the group a go, there’s no joining fee, no commitment necessary and absolutely no judgement. A warm welcome and hot brew awaits all. It’s a relaxed environment where men can come together, have a chat, lift each other up, and realise you never have to walk alone.
For more information, please visit their website at www.andysmanclub.co.uk
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