Andy's Man Club is 'one big family now', say founders

When Luke Ambler and Elaine Roberts put out an open invitation for men in Halifax to come and join them for a cup of tea and a chat, they had no idea what would come next.

Luke, a former rugby league player, recalls feeling both "really nervous" and inspired as he planned the meet-up in 2016.

"Walking in that first night, as a rugby player we're used to facing fears and running into people," he says.

"But I didn't know how it'd be getting these guys talking. No one really knew how to get it going.

"Then when that first person did speak, it was just like a pressure valve had released."

For Luke and Elaine, starting a group that encouraged men to open up was a deeply personal mission.

On 5 April 2016, Elaine's son and Luke's brother-in-law Andrew Roberts took his own life, aged 23, a loss which was "totally out of the blue [and] devastating", Elaine explains.

The name Andy's Man Club was chosen not only as a tribute to him, but as a way to destigmatise attending a group that offered mental health support.

"We thought guys would be hiding the fact they came, because at the time it's something that nobody would ever admit to being part of," Elaine says.

"So they could just say 'oh I'm off to Andy's tonight' and [people] would just think they're off to a mate's."

Ten years later, the club has grown into a nationwide charity that hosts more than 350 groups across the country, as well as online.

"Now guys are not only open about attending Andy's Man Club, but are proud about attending and they try to get other people involved," Elaine adds.

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"It's been a very fast 10 years, but a very long 10 years at the same time," Luke says.

"It took a long time to get to where we are in terms of as a culture, as a society, getting guys to open up and talk."

Suicide in England and Wales is around three times more common among men than women, according to 2024 data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

For Elaine, one of the challenges facing men today is that the world has become "insular" in many ways, due to a move to a more digital world.

"You don't have to go out and meet other people," she says.

"Spaces men had to get together are getting fewer and fewer as well.

"I think what we're giving them is that connection to have some sort of face-to-face human contact."

Although mental health is generally more understood than it was a decade ago, "there's still a long way to go," Luke says.

"We really want to have an impact alongside all the other amazing organisations because we're just one family amongst other affected individuals and families."

Both agree it is heartening to see a growth of clubs focusing on men's mental health, offering a diverse range of ways to connect.

"We're in this fight together and we can help each other," Elaine says.

They admit it has been challenging running events since establishing the club.

"I've done something each year and it just seems to be bigger and harder than it was the year before," Luke laughs.

"From walking to London in the very first year right through to five Ironmen last year, the list of unique things goes on."

But he says they feel "indebted to the people who continue to push themselves" for the charity.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Andy's Man Club, a mural is being unveiled in Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre this weekend.

Between 10:00 and 17:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday, the team will be encouraging members of the public to pick up a paintbrush and be involved in the artwork.

The installation represents "every single person that has left their mark on Andy's Man Club this last 10 years," Luke says.

"This is a celebration of that last 10 years and our way of saying thank you.

"It's much bigger than our family.

"We're all one big family now trying to lead this mission forward."

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