MENTAL HEALTH

MIND: Andy’s Man Club founder and former Fax player Luke Ambler

LAST MONTH saw Andy’s

Man Club (AMC) being forced to celebrate its four-year anniversary in lockdown.

The club was founded by former Halifax RLFC star Luke Ambler, 30, in memory of his brother-in-law Andy Roberts who committed suicide in 2016.

In response to the government’s lockdown easing, the club have confirmed they are preparing plans to start face-to-face meetings again.

Andrew Greenway, project development worker at AMC, said: “AMC’s fourth anniversary was July 9.

“We usually mark this with a party at the Shay Stadium, on Shaw Hill, which we were unable to do due to coronavirus.

“It was disappointing as it’s such a celebration of the men that have attended over the years and the journey they’ve been on.”

Over lockdown the club have continued to host online group

sessions, and have been holding a Google meet every Monday night for each club across the UK.

Mr Greenway said: “The Halifax and Hebden Bridge clubs have been on there too and the guys have really enjoyed the virtual meetings.

“We do hope now with businesses and organisations starting to reopen, it won’t be too long before we can start to have some face-to-face meetings again.

“We have also started a podcast over the lockdown period and have had a few highprofile guests appear on there.

“The challenges we have faced have been many, and we also know we likely have a few to come too with trying to get the doors back open.

“We have tried to be as proactive as we possibly can.”

If you would like to contact Andy’s Man Club about your mental health during lockdown, email: info@ andysmanclub.co.uk.

Alternatively, visit: www. andysmanclub.co.uk.