A new Andy Man’s Club is set to open in Pontypool in January 2025, following the success of a recent fundraising event that highlighted the town’s commitment to improving men’s mental health. The initiative aims to provide a local support network for men, offering peer-to-peer mental health sessions to help tackle the challenges of male vulnerability and well-being.
Joshua Williams, a volunteer at the Andy Man’s Club in Merthyr Tydfil, spoke of the group’s expansion plans, stating, “We want to extend our reach and support men in different areas of South Wales, including Pontypool.”
Andy Man’s Club is a national charity operating peer-led support groups for men, helping them discuss mental health challenges and break down the stigma surrounding male emotions. Currently, the nearest bases to Pontypool are in Merthyr Tydfil and Abergavenny, but the new Pontypool hub would give local men easier access to these vital services.
The charity is currently exploring venues in Pontypool to host weekly sessions, which will run from 7-9pm every Monday. Williams added, “We are in talks with a couple of venues at the moment, and as long as we secure a location, we believe there will be great demand for it.”
For the new group to operate effectively, the person leading the sessions will need to complete training, including eight sessions at another base to gain experience. However, community support for the initiative in Pontypool is strong, as evidenced by a recent fundraising event called The Full Monty in Ponty, which raised over £3,200 for the charity.
Organized by Chione Matthews and Charlotte May, the event featured a disco, a talk by Williams on men’s mental health, and an empowering striptease performance by five local men. Matthews, whose daughter Ariella Robinson made a tribute video to her late father Lee Robinson, shared the emotional impact of the event: “The men felt empowered, and it gave them the confidence to reconsider how they view vulnerability.”
Matthews and May’s involvement with Andy Man’s Club stems from personal tragedy. Matthews’ daughter Ariella’s father, Lee Robinson, tragically took his own life in May 2023, while May’s brother, Ben Taylor, died by suicide in October 2022. Their experiences have deeply motivated them to raise awareness about male mental health and support the charity’s efforts.
Matthews emphasized, “There is a lot left behind after a suicide, and if we can raise more awareness, maybe more men will seek help when they feel vulnerable.”
As plans for the new Andy Man’s Club in Pontypool move forward, the hope is to create a safe space where men can seek support, share their experiences, and ultimately break the cycle of isolation and mental health struggles.
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