United team up with Andy's Man Club

Since July, Old Trafford has hosted weekly peer-to-peer support sessions for men over the age of 18. The aim of the sessions is to facilitate open discussions about mental health to help men through the power of conversation.

Andy’s Man Club was set-up in memory of Andy Roberts who sadly died by suicide in 2016. Elaine Roberts, Andy’s mother, and Luke Ambler, Andy’s brother-in-law, helped establish Andy’s Man Club to try and prevent other families from going through the same devastating experience. 

The charity aims to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and wellbeing, provide a sounding board for men who are struggling, and support suicide prevention. The organisation now has over 200 groups, supporting over 4,800 men nationwide who attend weekly sessions to open-up about their experiences.

Andy Roberts was a passionate Manchester United supporter and inspired his family to follow the club, having handed his nephew Alfie his very first Manchester United shirt and his mother Elaine becoming a supporter after watching the Champions League final with her son in 1999. The Roberts family still follow United in the knowledge that somewhere, Andy will be watching along with them. 

The support sessions at Old Trafford have been running every Monday for two hours and will continue to take place each week, apart from bank holidays and any matchdays at Old Trafford that are scheduled for Monday evenings.

Joanna Madyarchyk, head of safeguarding and wellbeing at Manchester United, said: “As a leading cause of death for men in the UK, it’s important to provide opportunities for men to open up and talk about the challenges they face in their lives to address the issue at hand. 

“By hosting these weekly sessions at Old Trafford, we want to support powerful conversations that make a genuine difference and help reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health and wellbeing.”

Lucas Whitehead, head of marketing and partnerships at Andy’s Man Club, added: “By working with Manchester United to hold regular sessions we hope to attract more men to attend and share their experiences with other like-minded people. You don’t have to be a Manchester United fan to attend, or even like football at all, the group is open to any man over the age of 18.

“Andy’s Man Club has been on a mission to create judgement-free, confidential spaces where men can be open about the challenges they face with a wider community who can listen, provide support and advise peers on how to approach the storms in their lives.

“It feels fitting to work with Manchester United, the team Andy and his family adore. I am sure together we will help many of those in need of support.”

Sessions continue to take place on Monday evenings at 7pm in the Salford Bar & Kitchen at Old Trafford, a fully accessible venue. All attendees should enter via the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand entrance where they will be directed to the suite.

Car parking is available on W2 and further information on getting to Old Trafford can be found here.

For more information about Andy’s Man Club, click here.