Torquay United AFC is pleased to announce its partnership with men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club.
The link-up with Andy’s Man Club is the latest in a number of community-based initiatives that United have become involved with in recent weeks, and sees the Club join forces with the charity in order to highlight their cause, and challenge the stigmas that remain regarding male mental health.
Formed in memory of Andy Roberts, whose life was tragically taken by suicide, Andy’s Man Club began as just one group in Halifax. On the first night, nine men attending and spoke about their own experiences, and such was the success of it, the group has now expanded to groups all over the country, offering free-to-attend talking groups for men across 69 clubs, and with more to follow. So far, over 15,000 men attend sessions across the country. Locally, Andy’s Man Club now have four clubs in Devon, having started in Newton Abbot in September 2018.
On average one man every 2 hours takes his life in the UK, with one factor in this alarming statistic being identified as the reluctance of men to talk. Formed with the primary aims of breaking down stigmas, supporting men struggling with mental health issues and lending a hand to suicide prevention, at Andy’s Man Club you don’t have to be suicidal or have a mental health problem – the key thing is just to get men talking.
Adam Fletcher, of Andy’s Man Club, summed it up by saying:
“Our motto is It’s OK to talk. No matter what storm you’re going through, it will pass, and we are here to help you.”
As we celebrate the launch of the new partnership, Andy’s Man Club will be paying a visit to Plainmoor between 3pm-5pm on Friday, 26th November, as guest speakers at our next Retro Gulls event in Boots & Laces.
With the health and wellbeing in residents aged 50 and over widely recognised as another important aspect of community care within Torbay, supporters aged 50 and over will be invited to attend events in Boots & Laces once a month, with United stars present and past due to be in attendance for each meeting.
The Club will be focused on all things Torquay United, and will provide the opportunity to get Torquay talking. These events will give our ‘Retro Gulls’ the chance to discuss the current team, and those of yesteryear, with both fellow supporters and United stars past and present.
The events will vary each month, with future activities set to include fitness sessions, skittles, programme swap-shops, quizzes, bingo, workshops and much more!
Dates for the next two events are as follows:
- Friday 26th November 3-5pm
- Thursday 16th December 5-7pm
Retro Gulls events are provided by the Club free of charge for all United supporters aged 50 or over. Although booking is not essential, to reserve your space, please email [email protected] or phone 01803 328666 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm)
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