Andy’s Man Club – It’s OK to Talk
March 6th, 2023
Andy’s Man Club was set up in Halifax in June 2016 following the tragic death of Andy Roberts, who died by suicide. Andy’s mother Elaine and brother-in-law Luke Ambler decided to start a club to reduce the stigma around male mental health issues, and give men the opportunity to talk with their peers about whatever storms they’re going through.
The group now has 117 clubs across the UK, as well as an online option for anyone who can’t get to one. All meet at 7pm every Monday except Bank Holidays.
There are two Andy’s Man Clubs in Bristol. Bristol North meets in the Jessop Suite at the Seat Unique Stadium aka the County Cricket Ground. Bristol South meets at the Knowle West Media Centre. The clubs are run by a team of volunteer facilitators, all of whom originally joined the club to get support for themselves.
Below we are honoured to share with you the experience of a local man, who found the support he needed from Andy’s Man Club.
My Name is Andy, AKA Barts. I’m 42 years old and I started attending Andy’s Man Club at the beginning of June 2022. I can honestly say it has changed my life for the better in such a short time.
I have always been the happy-go-lucky guy. I’ve spent most of my life brushing things under the carpet or saying “I’m fine” when I wasn’t. This would lead to me having meltdowns or kicking off for no apparent reason.
I first walked through the door at the County Cricket Ground in Bristol for Andy’s Man Club after the above had become apparent. My whole life I’d been living with anxiety, and then in June I was diagnosed with depression. The anxiety was so strong that I didn’t want to upset people, or I wouldn’t speak up as I didn’t want the confrontation – the only way to describe it is walking on eggshells my whole life!
Attending Andy’s Man Club has made me less anxious by nature. Everyone listens and I get to talk and no judgement is passed. Also you realise you are not alone, others are going through a storm themselves.
No person is the same at Andy’s Man Club. However we can all relate to each other, and that’s because we all had a reason to walk through that door on our first evening. Even the facilitators!
In November 2022 I became a facilitator and have really enjoyed leading groups. It really is as simple as having a chat over a brew and a biscuit – all provided free of charge.
Andy’s Man Club has given me that different outlook I needed. I now use the word “perspective” more than I ever have in my life. I recently did a radio interview on BBC Radio Bristol to talk about what made me join Andy’s Man Club and also what Andy’s Man Club has done for me!
I’m not here to sell Andy’s Man Club to anyone. All I can say is it has changed me for the better, and if you are going through a storm yourself or know somebody who is, Andy’s Man Club’s doors are open 7–9pm every Monday and it might help lighten that load.
ANDY’S MAN CLUB is a free-to-attend talking group that runs every Monday night at 7pm, excluding bank holidays.
For over a year, the group has operated at a venue in Bishopston – the Seat Unique Stadium, BS7 9EJ.
There is now a Bristol South group that meet at the Knowle West Media Centre, BS4 1NL. Any man over the age of 18 is free to attend either of these groups, with no registration, referral or booking process.
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