Meet ANDYSMANCLUB: The new Monday mental health group for men in Macclesfield
A new mental health group for men has begun in Macclesfield.
Meeting every Monday evening at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, ANDYSMANCLUB is a new local branch of a nationwide men's wellness cause.
It is the male wellness charities' first group in Cheshire East.
ANDYSMANCLUB Macclesfield co-founder Paul Clayton explained what it was all about.
"ANDYSMANCLUB is a peer-to-peer talking group for men," he said.
"The word we use is storm. We're here for any man going through a storm, has been through a storm, or there is a storm approaching.
"I used to travel to the nearest group in Altrincham and thought it could help so many others if we started one here."
Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the UK, according to the ONS.
But conversation can help with these negative thoughts. AMC hope to erase the stigma about men's emotions and open a discourse about mental health.
The first ANDYSMANCLUB began in Halifax in 2016, named after a man who sadly took his own life.
An estimated 2000 attend ANDYSMANCLUB meets nationwide, with Macclesfield men being the latest to be added to this stat thanks to the new weekly Upton Priory meet-up.
Before starting the Macclesfield one, Paul used to attend the Altrincham club for 18 months, until he found a venue in Macclesfield, after a friend ended his own and decided to do something to help others.
"We have men from all sorts of jobs and background attend from servicemen, to company directors. People that have experienced issues such a bereavement, work issues, redundancy, abuse, to those with anxiety, the list is endless as everyone is different.
"There is no pressure to talk, but we want to promote that there is always someone there to listen.
"We ask similar questions every week, which also makes things easier for those who may be struggling to talk.
"They range from fun, to weekly recaps, and assessing good or bad things that have happened over the past seven days.
"We had a few guys come in our most recent session who said they had told things that they had never told anyone in their life, or that they'd never talked to someone else about their feelings.
"I'm one of the facilitators of the meeting, so it is my job to make everyone feel welcomed and to make sure that they don't feel they are being judged.
"They have already reached the double figures in those attending. Helped by the fact that is is a free support group for which any men over 18 can attend."
The response online has been amazing too, with videos on their Facebook page getting thousands of views.
This helps with visibility of the group, and has even encouraged partners to raise the topic with their husbands and boyfriends, with some even encouraging them to go to the new Macclesfield support group.
"With ANDYSMANCLUB, women are often the most important part of it as they are often the one who helps the guy get through the door," added Paul.
"There are also groups online which provide a similar service for women."
Paul, who works for a large American bank and has spent over 35 years in the Macclesfield area, was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response.
"The support from the community has been amazing," he explained.
"I was informed in Bollington that five people took their life within the last month. But the outpouring of support on Facebook had been amazing. It led to The Poachers Inn in Bollington doing a pub quiz which raised £200 for us.
"And I'd also like to thank all venues in the Macclesfield area who have let us put our posters up. Visibility is key for us. The supermarket ASDA have also subsidies our tea and biscuit costs which is great.
"But the biggest thanks goes to Everybody Health and Leisure, who have let us use their room for free.
"The sessions last until 9pm. There's plenty of free parking. There's also lots of space in the room which means we can help as much Macclesfield who are struggling as possible."
Everybody could not be a more perfect partner. It helps with the discreet nature of ANDYSMANCLUB, and some who attend the meeting are members of the Leisure Centre.
While not a substitute for a doctor, the group will hope to blossom new friendships and allow men to come forward and speak up like they have never before.
ANDYSMANCLUB meet at Macclesfield Leisure Centre on Priory Lane at 7pm every Monday, with the exception of Bank Holidays. Find more about them on their Facebook.
See Also: Macclesfield mental health champion to trek 236 miles for charity
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