Andy’s Man Club expands to support 7,000 men weekly
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In 2016, Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler of Halifax, England, started Andy’s Man Club after the suicide of Elaine’s son, Andrew.
They created a peer-support group where men could openly discuss their problems without judgement or formal procedures. The first meeting included nine attendees, and the group has since grown to over 350 community groups across England, Scotland, and Wales. Andy’s Man Club now supports around 7,000 men each week through in-person sessions and online meetings.
Volunteers, often former attendees, facilitate these sessions, creating a cycle of mutual support. Oliver Vikse, an early participant, found the group helpful after experiencing homelessness and the loss of friends. The club also runs the #ItsOkayToTalk campaign, which reached over 100 million people globally. This effort aimed to reduce the stigma around men seeking mental health support, a need underscored by data showing men in England and Wales are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Recently, Andy’s Man Club received a national award for its work and is unveiling a commemorative mural in Leeds.
