We’re preparing to launch the first Andy’s Man Club in South Shields town centre
A men’s mental health charity is set to launch a brand new group in South Shields.
A men’s suicide prevention charity that offers free peer-to-peer support is set to launch a new group in South Shields to centre.
Andy’s Man Club will run at the Tyne and Wear Creative Culture CIC, on Stanhope Street, every Monday from 7pm until 9pm to provide men with a safe space to talk and get things off their chest.
The charity already operates a group at Souter Lighthouse and is now set to expand its support in the borough to those who need it.
‘There has been a lot of desire for a club in South Shields’
Michael Chapplow, Area Lead for the North East, has revealed that there has been a lot of calls to launch an Andy’s Man Club in South Shields.
He commented: “It means a lot to bring it to South Shields because I’ve heard a lot from our facilitators about bringing this here.
“There has been a lot of desire for a club in South Shields so to have it in the heart of the town centre is such a great opportunity for so many man who can’t access us.
“We never turn a man away but it’s great to know that regardless of how many men turn up, there is more than enough space in this venue to cater for everyone.
“It will be a safe, warm and non-judgemental space that men can come along to and get things off their chest.
‘The hardest step is to get through the door’
Richie Adams, lead facilitator at Souter Lighthouse’s Andy’s Man Club, stated that the hardest thing is to ‘step through the door’.
He said: “We’ve got Souter Lighthouse just up the coast but it is a little too far for some people to go so bringing one into South Shields town centre is fantastic.
“Hopefully when word gets around that this place is open for men who are struggling, they’ll come forward and start talking.
“The hardest step is to get through the door but once you’re in, it is so much easier.”
‘There is no judgement’
Paul Mckiernan, one of the facilitators at Souter Lighthouse, has urged men who are struggling with their mental health to come along to the new group.
He added: “Travelling to Souter Lighthouse isn’t the easiest whereas there are better public transport links here so it’s important that people know that we are here on their doorstep.
“In the two years that I’ve been at Souter, it has gone from strength to strength and has become really busy.
“If you’re going through some tough times, come along for a cuppa and a biscuit - there is no judgement.”
‘Amazing for men in South Shields’
Paul Neary, Events Coordinator at Tyne and Wear Creative Culture CIC, has expressed his pride in being able to provide a space for Andy’s Man Club in South Shields.
He stated: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our venue to become more of a community asset as it allows us to expand and diversify our reach.
“We’re honoured that Andy’s Man Club has chosen us to host their group here.
“We’ve got this fantastic venue which we want to be a real asset to other community organisations outside of the cultural offering that we provide.
“I think something like this is amazing for men in South Shields and hopefully word will get round fairly quickly.”
The group will launch at 7pm on Monday, August 10 - full details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591680339902.