The Preston branch of Andy’s Man Club will celebrate its one-year anniversary next week having just attracted its highest turnout yet.
Andy’s Man Club is a men’s mental health charity that was established in 2016, following the tragic passing of 23-year-old Andy Roberts, with a weekly talking group established in Halifax thereafter to allow men to come together to discuss their mental health.
There are now more than 60 clubs set-up nationwide, including the one in Preston, which initially spent six months based at the Penwortham Cricket Club before the venue was switched to the PNECET office at Deepdale to allow for further growth.
In the last six months, on average, 15 men have attended Andy’s Man Club at Deepdale every week to discuss their mental health in an open and welcoming environment, which included a record high of 26 this week.
Speaking about the progression of the Preston club, Andy’s Man Club Project Development Officer Andrew Greenway said: “It’s a year next week since we opened our Preston club, which is quite appropriate around the time of International Men’s Day.
“The uptake that we’ve had and the awareness that we’ve had in the area has been absolutely fantastic, and an awful lot of that has been thanks to PNECET and the awareness events they have done for us, and not only that, but allowing us to grow larger than we were able to in the previous venue.
“We’ve been more than happy with how our Preston club has been going and the work that’s happening in the area to raise the profile of the sessions has been enormous. We thank PNECET for everything they’ve done to contribute to that.”
Andrew’s aim is for Andy’s Man Club to maintain organic growth all year round.
He added: “It’s absolutely vital – the more men that are aware of Andy’s Man Club, the better.
“Every opportunity that we have to have these sorts of conversations, especially with the rates of suicide as they are, that’s only to be encouraged. It’s huge thanks to Preston North End for wanting to support that.”
All men over the age of 18 can attend Andy’s Man Club meetings, with the Preston club meeting in the community offices at Deepdale every Monday evening from 7pm until 9pm with refreshments provided.
There is no need to register in advance or provide any personal details in order to attend, men wishing to do so can simply turn up and join the group.