Preston branch of Andy’s Man Club is launching to give men a space to talk

Men around the country have benefitted from the talking groups Pic: Andy's Man Club — Men around the country have benefitted from the talking groups Pic: Andy’s Man Club

A Preston branch of Andy’s Man Club is launching.

The talking group for men, which has 28 branches around the UK, was started in Yorkshire by the friends of Andy Roberts who was taken by suicide with no warning.

The Preston branch is being opened by Tarleton man Gerard Hughes.

Gerard has attended the Oldham group for some time, and now wants to help men in the Preston area by facilitating meetings here.

Gerard said: “Andy’s Man Club provides a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues or problems that they have faced or are currently facing.

“It’s about bringing men together to help each other on a peer-to-peer basis, sharing experiences on how they have dealt with situations. We focus on positives and strategies to keep moving forwards.

“The groups have spread rapidly through the country, but there was a big gap in Lancashire. With suicide being the biggest killer in men under 45, we needed to act.”

Gerard says the group will be supportive and welcoming to anyone wanting to attend.

He said: “Men have a reluctance to talk, instead bottling things up. However if someone wants to just sit and listen without saying anything that’s absolutely fine; there’s no pressure whatsoever

“We offer a supportive environment and have guys around the car park and entrance looking out for anyone who is nervous in order to welcome them in.”

The Preston branch of Andy’s Man Club will meet for the first time at 7pm on Monday 23 November at Penwortham Cricket Club. The group is confidential and non-judgemental, and open to men aged 18 and over.