A new mental health group is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy's Man Club, by offering vital support to women in Cumbria.
Gina's Women's Club is a new space for women over the age of 18 to connect, support and encourage each other.
Meeting will be held fortnightly on Monday evenings from 7pm until 9pm at the The New Waterton Hall in Carlisle, with the first event scheduled for November 11.
Ingrid Fox, had a very personal reason for setting up such a vital service, after sadly losing her daughter Gina in 2020.
She said: "Gina’s Women’s Club was set up in memory of my daughter Georgina ‘Gina’ Fox, who lived in Australia, and died, suddenly, in 2020. Gina was the most loving, caring, helpful, peace-making woman, who would do anything for anyone. However, due to a sad, spiral of circumstances, she died alone.
"After losing Gina, there was a need to stay strong. Gina’s brothers and friends were all devastated. I had my faith and therapy to help me day to day, but ideally, I would have liked to just come along to a place where I could just listen, share and be heard - where people were not necessarily involved in my daily life. Also, it is my belief that should such a club have been available for Gina, she might not have died alone. There is such restorative power in personal connection and communication."
Andy's Man Club has been a huge success across Cumbria and they have already voiced their support for the group, alongside former Wigton mayor Christopher Scott.
Ingrid is now hoping that the group can grow and emulate the incredible work that Andy's Man Club has done, before she can hopefully pass on the reins.
She added: "It would be wonderful if Gina’s Women’s Club were to have the merest fraction of success of Andy’s Man’s Club."
Ingrid also wanted to thank Chris Green of Andy’s Man’s Club; Geoff Tunstall founder of Re-bike; Sarah Baker of Gateway for Women; Debbie Simmons of Carlisle & Eden Carers Support; Friday Friends Group and Cheryl Nutrition and Fitness Coach, for the advice they have provided.
Support and prayers from Canon Luiz Ruscillo of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; Steve and Rachel Gibbs of Carlisle Cathedral and Gina’s best friend and co-founder of GWC Shirley Stewardson.
You can find more information about Gina's Women's Club on Facebook.
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