Gosport mental health club helping men ‘grow in confidence’ celebrates first month

The new branch of the Andy's Man Club mental health groups opened in March.

To mark the first month, mayor of Gosport Zoe Huggins paid the group a visit along with her consort Darren Huggins.

Since opening, club organisers have been welcoming men in the Gosport area as they attend the group to have a drink and a chat.

Members can choose whether they want to talk or listen, and the group finishes on something positive to uplift the mood.

Meetings are run by Hamble teacher Steve Fletcher along with his friend Adam Bland, a Gosport man who currently serves in the Royal Navy as a survival equipment technician.

Adam said: ‘Since we opened our doors on March 1, Andy’s Man Club Gosport has been well received.

‘We've had men from all walks of life come along, some every week, some occasionally and some only once.

‘The best thing for me is to see men taking that step through the door.

‘We've seen a few people who have taken that step, grow in confidence and come back, week on week in a much better place.’

Club meetings are held every Monday from 7pm at the Gosport Football Club.

Adam added: ‘For me personally, having that weekly reset with a great bunch of lads really does set me up for the week ahead.

‘We want people to realise that Andy’s Man Club is an organisation that will be here when you need that environment to be open and get things off your chest but also somewhere that is often light hearted, friendly, welcoming and private.

‘Everything that is shared with the group stays in the group and that trust is vital to the lads that come along.’

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More information about the Gosport club can be found by visiting the Facebook group at facebook.com/andysmanclubgosport

Adam said: ‘If you're unsure of what Andy's Man Club is, ask us, come along and see. There's no pressure to speak, sitting and listening is fine.

‘There's no pressure to come regularly and more importantly we're not here to try and fix you we're there to hear you. It's okay to talk.’

Find out more at andysmanclub.co.uk

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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