New direction for Oban mental health group
An Oban mental health support group will transform itself before the beginning of the New Year.
Andy’s Man Club Oban will change its name to Martyn's Monday Club, named after Martyn Cruikshanks from Oban who died suddenly last year.
In addition to this, a women’s peer-to-peer support group will also be established.
Diarmid MacMillan, who helps run the club, said: ‘We are changing it to suit the community. We see a way into the schools and the college here and you can’t do that with Andy’s Man Club.’
However, the ‘Monday Club’ is currently only open to those ages 18-plus.
Diarmid added: ‘We are looking forward to the new direction. We have held a meeting of interest for the women, which was successful and well attended. We had 22 people and got 10 volunteers out of that. The other reason, Andy’s Man Club would not provide any training. This way, we can get training for the facilitators such as mental health first aid. Choose Life is going to provide use with the training. It is talking about coming to Oban to try and get everyone together.’
Diarmid said more than 50 men had attended the meetings. Robert Cruikshanks, Martyn’s father, said: ‘It shows that there is a real need for it in the town. We cover everything and there’s guys from all walks of life. It’s been amazing for me and we have made a change to people’s lives. You are here to help your-
‘It’s been amazing for me and we have made a change to people’s lives.’
self, but you don’t realise you are helping everyone else too.’
Diarmid explained the concept of the group to alleviate any concerns people might have about attending.
‘It’s a really simple concept that works so well,’ he said. ‘There’s five questions that get asked.’
The first question is an introduction and a description about how your week is going.
This is followed by being asked to find something ‘positive’.
The third question gives people the opportunity to get something off their chest and the fourth and fifth questions are designed to leave attendees feeling positive.
Diarmid added: ‘We have to mention Hope Kitchen. Without Hope nothing would be possible.’
The last Andy’s Man Club meeting will be held on December 17 at Hope Kitchen from 7pm and the first Martyn’s Monday Club meeting will be on January 7 at the same time.
For more information, visit www.MartynsMondayClub. com or pop into Oban’s Hope Kitchen on 2 Soroba Road.