The Preston branch of Andy’s Man Club will begin meeting at Deepdale every week from Monday 17th May.
Preston North End Community and Education Trust recently partnered with Andy’s Man Club to deliver the weekly men’s mental health session. First team players wore the charity’s #ItsOkayToTalk warm-up t-shirts ahead of the final home game of the season against Barnsley to mark the partnership.
The Preston group of Andy’s Man Club was founded in November 2020, meeting weekly at Penwortham Cricket Club. However, meetings will now switch to the community offices at Deepdale, taking place from 7pm until 9pm every Monday.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Harriet Creighton-Levis said: “We are proud to be working with Andy’s Man Club and bringing the weekly men’s mental health session to Deepdale is the next step in our partnership.
“As the official charity of Preston North End Football Club, we have a duty to support our fans and we believe by utilising the power of football, we can encourage people to come together and support one another with their mental health and wellbeing.”
“Bringing the session to Deepdale is the perfect way to utilise the power and appeal of football and to encourage men to open up about their mental health.”
Sessions at Deepdale will take place in a Covid-19 compliant capacity with all social distancing measures in place. Participants will be required to complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire before their arrival and to wear a mask throughout the session.
Andy’s Man Club is a registered charity, founded in 2016 after the tragic passing of 23-year-old Andy Roberts.
A weekly group in Halifax was formed thereafter, allowing men to come together to discuss their mental health in an open and welcoming environment.
There are now 45 Andy’s Man Club groups operating throughout the United Kingdom, bringing men together to support each other with their mental health.
For more information about attending the session, please contact info@andysmanclub.co.uk.