Andy’s Man Club says ‘It’s OK to Talk’ at Dovestone WI
Last night Dovestone WI welcomed a speaker from Andy’s Man Club to talk to the ladies about the great work that the club is doing.
Andy’s Man Club has been grown from social media and is gaining momentum as more and more hear about it. Lots of people are just starting to hear about the club as Luke, Andy’s brother in law, and the team get more and more coverage for the cause. Their main aim is to reduce the number of suicides by men under 45 in the UK by half. Their message of “It’s OK to talk” is accompanied by a hand sign; An O made by the first finger and thumb, with the other fingers forming a K, it has been made by numerous celebrities and AMC encourages everyone to share the gesture.
Sam Samuel, the volunteer co-ordinator of the Oldham Andy’s Man Club, spoke eloquently and gently about the origins of the Club.
3 years ago Andy, a lad’s lad who loved joking with his mates, playing football and with a young family, took his life. His mother and Luke both believed that Andy may not have taken the decision he did on that fateful day had he talked more about how he was feeling inside.
Luke set up a coffee session in Halifax, where Andy had lived, and 9 men turned up. That was the beginning of a club that has grown and grown and branches now spans a lot of the UK welcoming hundreds of men, who’ve made the decision themselves to turn up. The men are given the opportunity to speak or just watch, whatever they feel they feel comfortable with. The sessions are relaxed and open. Any one over the age of 18 can come along; no payment, just a handshake at the door and a welcome. “The club is basically a semi self-help group without that counsellor feel to it.” said one of its members.
Sam also spoke about his own reasons for going along to Andy’s Man Club in Oldham, which proved to be a moving story and the ladies very much applauded him sharing it with them.
To support Sam, WPC Lee Cullen, our local police officer, and Ged King of Skullfades Foundation, turned up and shared their thoughts on AMC, the great work that the club is doing and the positive effect on our community.
Ged King gave a fascinating insight at Dovestone WI earlier in the year about the Skullfades Foundation. He spoke about what he and his barbering team are doing by bringing not only haircuts, but human connection and compassion to the homeless people of Manchester and beyond.
The evening brought up a big discussion between the ladies of the WI of “What can we as parents do to help?” a discussion that I imagine will be going on for a while in the community.
Dovestone WI group welcomes any ladies to join them on the third Wednesday of each month at the Royal George Pub in Greenfield. The evening officially starts at 8pm, but they encourage you to turn up for 7.30 to meet for a drink.
Andy’s Man Club meets every Monday at 7pm all over the country. You can find the Oldham AMC at the Chadderton Wellbeing Centre, Burnley Street, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 0JW They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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