After her son died at 23 in 2016, Elaine Roberts and son-in-law Luke Ambler started a men’s support group with nine attendees; today it helps 7,000 men a week and has earned a national award
In a world where men are often expected to keep their struggles to themselves, nine people gathered in Halifax in 2016 around an idea that was as ordinary as it was important. A decade later, that small meeting has grown into a nationwide support network reaching thousands of men every week, carrying forward the memory of a young man whose death changed his family forever. Scroll down to read the details of the unique concept.
A personal loss becomes a mission
According to the BBC report, Andrew Roberts was just 23 when he died by suicide on April 5, 2016. His death came as a devastating shock to his family, including his mother, Elaine Roberts, and his brother-in-law, former professional rugby league player Luke Ambler. In the months that followed, the two began to consider how other families might be spared a similar experience.Their response was Andy’s Man Club, a peer-support charity named in Andrew’s memory. The idea was to create an informal, welcoming space where men could discuss their problems without fear of judgement, formal referrals or the pressure of finding the right words. The emphasis was on conversation, connection and the reassurance that nobody had to face difficult moments alone.According to the BBC, the first meeting was held in Halifax in 2016, with nine men attending. What began as a small community initiative has since developed into a nationwide movement.
From nine men to thousands
Andy’s Man Club now operates more than 350 community groups across England, Scotland and Wales, alongside online sessions. Its weekly meetings collectively support around 7,000 men, offering free, confidential, walk-in sessions without registration or a referral.The model relies on volunteers, many of whom first came to the club seeking support themselves. Having experienced the value of being heard, they return to help others navigate similar challenges. This cycle of mutual support makes those who needed help now part of the network that helps.One of the early attendees was Oliver Vikse, who had experienced homelessness, the breakdown of his family unit and the loss of three friends to suicide. Finding a place where he could speak openly and be listened to became an important turning point, demonstrating the need for spaces that make emotional honesty easier.
Challenging the silence around men’s mental health
Ambler has also helped take the charity’s message beyond its weekly meetings through the #ItsOkayToTalk campaign. The initiative reached more than 100 million people worldwide, encouraging men to speak about their experiences and challenging the stigma associated with seeking support, adds BBC report.The need remains significant. Office for National Statistics data for 2024 showed that suicide in England and Wales was around three times more common among men than women. For Andy’s Man Club, addressing that imbalance means making support accessible, familiar and free from the barriers that can prevent people from reaching out.Elaine has also highlighted the importance of face-to-face contact at a time when everyday social interactions are increasingly shaped by digital communication. The club offers men an opportunity to meet others, build friendships and discover that struggles they may have considered deeply personal are not theirs alone.
A decade of making a difference
The charity’s growth has been recognised through a national award, reflecting the impact of a project built around one family’s determination to turn grief into action. The Pride of Britain website has highlighted the story of Elaine and Ambler, whose work has helped create a lasting legacy in Andrew’s name.As Andy’s Man Club marks its tenth anniversary, a commemorative mural is also being unveiled at Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre, inviting members of the public to contribute to the artwork. The installation celebrates the people who have shaped the charity over the past decade.From nine attendees in Halifax to thousands of men gathering every Monday, the organisation’s expansion illustrates how a simple conversation can become the foundation of something much larger. Its mission remains rooted in the same principle that inspired its creation: making it easier for men to talk, find support and feel connected before a difficult moment becomes a crisis.Image Courtesy: Pride of Britain
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