Andys Man Club will attend the Board to talk about the work they do.
Minutes:
he Board received a presentation from Andy’s Man Club, a mental health and suicide prevention charity supporting men aged 18 and over.
It was noted that:
· Andy’s Man Club had been established following the death of Andy Roberts, aged 23, with the aim of tackling stigma around men’s mental health and encouraging men to speak openly.
· Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler are Andy’s Mum and Brother-in-Law, together they came up with the idea of ANDYSMANCLUB, a group where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their mental health in a judgment-free, non-clinical environment.
· Suicide remained the leading cause of death for men, with approximately 4900 men taking their own lives each year in the UK, equating to around 12 deaths per day.
· Each suicide was estimated to impact approximately 135 people, highlighting the wider effect on families, friends, colleagues and communities.
· The organisation had grown organically from a single group of 9 men in Halifax to a national network, with 344 groups now established across the UK.
· Weekly sessions took place every Monday at 7pm in community venues such as sports centres and fire stations, alongside online sessions.
· The groups operated on a self-referral basis with no booking, cost or formal referral process, aiming to remove barriers to access.
· Sessions provided a safe, non-judgemental space for men to talk, with no expectation to share more than they felt comfortable with, and no advice or clinical intervention offered.
· Facilitated discussions included reflections on the week, positive experiences and opportunities to share concerns, with sessions designed to ensure participants left feeling more positive.
· The charity did not provide clinical advice or discuss topics such as medication, but signposted individuals to appropriate services where needed, including emergency support where there was an immediate risk.
· The organisation had expanded locally, with groups established across the county and a presence in Leicester for approximately one year, with further development planned.
· Demand for the service continued to grow, with a record attendance of 6800 men nationally at sessions in a single week.
In response to questions and comments from members, it was noted that:
· The work of the organisation was welcomed, particularly in addressing stigma and providing a safe space for men who may not otherwise engage with services.
· Where individuals required additional support beyond the scope of the sessions, facilitators signposted to relevant services and, where necessary, contacted emergency services.
· The importance of improving engagement with minority communities was highlighted, including consideration of cultural factors and potential barriers to access.
· There was a need to explore how partners could support greater awareness and access, including whether additional groups were required within the city.
· The Board recognised wider challenges relating to social isolation and loneliness among men, and the importance of providing male focused spaces for support.
· Opportunities were identified to link the organisation into existing networks, including community wellbeing champions, neighbourhood forums and voluntary sector partnerships.
· The importance of supporting volunteers was emphasised, recognising that the model relied heavily on voluntary contribution and should not place undue pressure on individuals.
· The potential to strengthen links with health services, including emergency departments, was noted to ensure earlier support and prevent escalation to crisis point.
· It was suggested that further work be undertaken to map provision and identify gaps in access, particularly for those with higher levels of need.
AGREED:
1. That the presentation be noted.
2. That a task and finish group be established to explore how the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector can support mental health provision, including charities such as Andy’s Man Club.
3. That the presentation slides and video be circulated to Board members following the meeting.