Men’s mental health: How Andy’s Man Club is changing the conversation
We caught up with Dominic White, area lead at Andy’s Man Club, to find out more about the weekly meetings and how they encourage talking. Stepping through the door can feel daunting, but you’ll find a room full of ordinary guys who get it. Opening up isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s just taking care of yourself.
Dominic has seen how powerful it is when men finally have a space to speak freely. “We’re still taught to crack on, stay strong, don’t make a fuss,” he says. “But that silence can be dangerous.” Male suicide remains one of the biggest risks to men under 50 in the UK, and Andy’s Man Club exists to challenge that culture, gently, consistently and without judgment.
The movement began in 2016 after the tragic loss of 23‑year‑old Andy Roberts. His family and friends wanted to create a space where men could talk openly, honestly and safely. What started as a small idea – a room, a brew and a chance to speak – has grown into one of the UK’s most impactful grassroots mental‑health organisations.
What makes Andy’s Man Club so effective is its simplicity. There are no waiting lists, no referrals, no fees and no paperwork. You don’t need to explain yourself or arrive with a script. You just walk in. If you want to talk, you can. If you want to sit quietly and listen, that’s completely fine too.
Dominic describes the sessions as “structured but gentle”. Each meeting follows a relaxed five‑question format designed to help men open up at their own pace. The facilitators – all men with lived experience, keep the atmosphere grounded, human and welcoming. And confidentiality is absolute: what’s said in the room stays in the room.
For anyone in East Sussex looking for support, the Brighton group meets every Monday (except bank holidays) from 19:00–21:00 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole on Kings Road.
Dominic knows that walking through the door can feel intimidating, but he also knows what happens next: “You realise you’re not alone. You realise other men feel exactly the same. And that’s where things start to change.”
Talking isn’t weakness. It’s maintenance. It’s care. And Andy’s Man Club is here to make sure no man has to carry everything by himself.
www.andysmanclub.co.uk | #andysmanclub
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