Men's mental health group expands to meet demand

A mental health charity for men is expanding to cope with demand after meetings drew record attendances.

Andy's Man Club, which was set up in 2016 and now has more than 270 groups around the country, is increasing its offering across Wearside and County Durham.

The charity started in memory of Andy Roberts, who took his own life when he was 23, and describes itself as a safe space where men can talk about their emotions without being judged.

Weekly sessions at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland see 40 people attend, which is nearly double the national average across the UK.

Michael Chapplow, the North East area lead for the charity, said: "Before coming to the meetings I dealt with crippling social anxiety and this is the single best thing I've done to overcome it."

Following the success of groups around Wearside, two more sessions will begin in Gilesgate and Houghton-le-Spring this month.

Mr Chapplow, who first began attending sessions two years ago before taking a more active role in the charity, said: "It's life changing, I know men who are still here today because of these groups and I know that my life has been forever changed by coming to the sessions."

Lee Binyon, 31 from Sunderland, came to meetings a couple of times before he felt "comfortable" to open up, but said he was glad when he did.

"It's not just a pity party, that's what I like about it.

"We can talk about serious things and share the load, but we also have a laugh."

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