MEN's mental health support group, Andy's Man Club will open its first Whitehaven branch on January 8, following Mind Ya Marras decision to step back.

Stee Brown, the lead facilitator of Cumbria explained that opening the new club was all about spreading Andy’s Man Club to as many area as possible so that they can benefit from mental health support.

Mind Ya Marras, which opened in 2019, provided a safe space for men to socialise, and help one another through difficult times in Whitehaven. However, they announced in December they would be closing, and allowing Andy’s Man Club to take the reins.

Stee Brown said: “When they decided to step down, we had to get things moving because we wanted to keep local support there and not leave any lads with no support, so that was our basis.”

“We didn’t want to step on MYM toes, they do a fantastic job, and our goal is exactly the same. I am good friends with them all so when they decided to stand down, we got a group of lads together lead by Phil Radcliff and it was no problem, people just volunteered.”

“The facility we use will be Whitehaven Amateurs Football club and they gladly gave us the space; all we need to tea and coffee.”

Any man aged over 18 can come to Andy’s Man Club. It is free and requires no bookings or referrals. Stee said: “We open our doors, and anyone can walk through.”

The new Whitehaven club will become a part of the 170 clubs nationwide. However, back in 2022, Cumbria had no clubs, so Stee Brown realised he needed to bring it to Cumbria. The Workington branched opened in January and it “exploded”, according to Stee.

There are now branches across Maryport and Cockermouth. Whitehaven and Carlisle clubs will open on January 8, and Barrow will open on February 12.

The mission of the club is simple, they bring men together with similar issues to talk. It provides a service to those struggling, and gives people a safe confidential space to talk, with no judgement. The club is not run by professionals, but Stee said: “It is so simple, that it just works.”

Andy’s Man Club is a suicide prevention charity, which has over around 70 members in Workington alone. Stee said: “We formed a brotherhood. People make good friends because they are in the same situation”.

“It is a proper support network for people. Men are struggling and won’t talk about it, and that’s why we have suicides, we break this stigma. It is a brotherhood.”

The Whitehaven branch opens on January 8 at 7pm at Whitehaven AFC. There is "no pressure to talk, just come and have a brew, a biscuit and meet some new mates"