The new branch of a men’s suicide prevention charity which opened in Southport on Monday (3rd July 2023) is being given a warm welcome to Sefton Council.
Andy’s Man Club offers free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.
The organisation, which was founded in Halifax seven years ago, wants to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
It believes in the wisdom of #ITSOKAYTOTALK
At the next Full Sefton Council meeting, at Southport Town hall on Thursday 13th July 2023, Southport councillor Gareth Lloyd-Johnson, will call for the local authority to support the club in any way it can.
The Lib Dem councillor for Meols Ward in Southport said: “Andy’s Man Club was created in 2016 with the aim to create a talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues and problems they have faced or are currently facing.
“Formed in Halifax, the Club follows the motto, ‘it’s ok to talk.’
“In its own words, Andy’s Man Club aims to ‘eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgement-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives’.
“It aims to achieve this through weekly, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18.
“On July 3rd, Andy’s Man Club held the first meeting of their newly formed Southport branch.”
Cllr lloyd-Johnson will propose a motion at the meeting to urge:
“This Council recognises; 1. The excellent work of Andy’s Man Club to date and the particular role they play in improving mental health in our communities.
“2. That according to the Department for Health, suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 and around three-quarters of deaths from suicides each year are men.
“This Council resolves to; 1. Welcome Andy’s Man Club to Southport and ask the Council’s Chief Executive to write to the organisation expressing these sentiments.
“2. Explore ways that the Council can work with Andy’s Man Club to support their work.”
An Andy’s Man Club spokesperson said: “Nothing better on our 7th year anniversary than to drop you some good news
“Two clubs open for the first time on Monday :
AMC Southport
AMC Chesterfield
“That takes us to 131 groups across the UK.
“We have a thriving online group too which men can access from anywhere in the UK if they don’t have a group in their area yet or feel more comfortable.
“This week we had a record number of men in attendance across online and in person… 2,908!
“We also have three new new staff members joining the team in the next month or so, so expect to see us in more places raising more awareness, opening more doors and growing our current groups to help support even more men!”
- If you would like to know more about Andy’s Man Club Southport, please visit their Facebook page here.
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