Andy’s Man Club, a UK movement for suicide prevention that began with nine men meeting in a room in Yorkshire, has partnered with Forestry England to promote positive mental health through a series of outdoor running events. The charity offers free, peer-to-peer support groups across the country each week, providing a safe space for men to talk about their feelings. The club was founded in 2016 and was named after a man who killed himself at the age of 23. The success of events and the charity’s vital work was recognised in 2021 with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The founders of Andy’s Man Club have seen attitudes change since its inception. Initially, men weren’t really opening up, but they just needed a platform to do so. With over 5,000 men regularly attending the support groups, the charity has grown into a national charity with more than 200 groups meeting every Monday across the UK. Talking at Andy’s Man Club has saved the lives of many men. Before attending, some thought no one shares their thoughts, but they quickly realised they are not alone, which helps to subside negative feelings and makes them a “part of a community”.
More than 1,000 people have connected with nature at the events since the charity partnered with Forestry England in 2022. The events are open to everyone and are not just for men. They offer everything from 1km to 10km running routes, as well as more leisurely walking trails, catering for all abilities. Andy’s Man Club co-founder, Luke Ambler, has revealed that the collaboration is “a beautiful thing to bring several hundred people together to have a run”. The charity’s experience chimes with a growing body of research that links regular exercise and time in nature with improved mental health outcomes
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