Meet the father and son duo helping to save men’s lives across Leeds

Andy’s Man Club is a mental health group aimed to ‘get men talking’.

It has helped save the lives of more than 800 men across the country since it was set up.

The club was formed in early 2016 by Halifax rugby league player Luke Ambler after his brother-in-law took his own life.

Since then, the group has expanded across the country and now has hundreds of men who attend every week.

Andy Wilson, 31, and his dad Neil, 59, visited a group in Halifax three years ago after Andy’s personal struggles with mental health.

After the meeting, Andy vowed to his dad that ‘Leeds needs one of these groups’ and set about on the process of setting one up.

On the first group meeting in Leeds, nine men walked through the door.

However, in just two years, this figure has risen to an astonishing 57 weekly visitors - ‘from builders to business owners to the unemployed’ - with ‘any man over the age of 18’ being welcome.

Andy, a quality manager from Leeds, explained to your Yorkshire Evening Post how his own struggles with mental health helped spur him on to help others.

He said: “From my own point of view there was no trigger really [for my issues].

“I had a great family, great friends and a great job.

“Something just did not add up.

“A few times, I decided that was it, I have had enough.

“Thankfully, I am still here.”

Andy’s incredible story comes as the YEP is also campaigning to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues, as part of our #SpeakYourMind campaign.

First launched in 2016, our campaign has received high-profile backing from the likes of Prime Minister Theresa May and Kensington Palace.

The Leeds branch of Andy’s Man Club meets weekly on a Monday night at Leeds College of Building at 7pm.

Andy explains what happens next: “First, everyone who walks through the door has a coffee and can grab a biscuit.

“Next, we do a bit of an introduction to the group and what it is all about before splitting into smaller groups.

“We throw a ball around and talk about any issues we may have, along with something positive.

“Everything said in the group stays in the group.

“We have some people who just listen but anyone can talk as much or as little as they like.”

The group discusses a set of questions each week as a set of small groups of around 10 people.

Andy said he couldn’t believe how quickly the numbers have expanded, with more and more men arriving each week for help.

He said: “I never thought it would get as big as it has done.

“We see everybody down here, from those who are managers and own businesses to those who are looking for a job.

“It is just about nipping the problem in the bud.

“Everyone knows that anything said in the group stays in the group.

“I know it may be difficult but I would encourage any man to walk through the door, even if it is just to listen.

“They will be made to feel welcome and appreciated.”

Andy said the numbers of men attending have doubled in the last few months.

His father Neil, who is also a teacher, co-founded the Leeds club alongside Andy and friend Declan Storey.

Speaking to your Yorkshire Evening Post, he explained how the group was all about “reaching that one man” who was suffering.

Neil said: “We said if we could help just one man, it would all be worthwhile.

"To see 50 men coming through the door each week is incredible.

"Nobody has to face their problems alone.

"Anyone can come, anyone can join.”

Neil explained why he got involved in setting the Leeds group up.

He added: “I originally got involved to support Andy in setting the group up.

"I always tell everyone, it is about early intervention.

"The earlier men join the group and start talking, the better for everyone.”

Neil told how he had seen a huge change in men from week to week.

He said: “People come as strangers and immediately leave as friends, it is amazing.

"I have seen such a huge change in people week to week.

"Lives have been rebuilt at the group, whatever problems men have we can help with them.

"It is all about Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, we are a local dimension of the national group and we are very proud to have come from Leeds."

The group meets at 7pm every Monday apart from Bank Holidays at Leeds College of Building.

For more information email [email protected]