There’s a particular kind of tired that comes with being a dad. You can be surrounded by family and still feel like you’re carrying everything on your own.

Andy’s Man Club exists for that exact gap.

It’s a UK charity that runs free, weekly, peer-to-peer talking groups for men aged 18+ (with no requirement to be referred, book, register, or “prove” you’re struggling enough). The sessions are designed to be non-clinical and judgement-free, with zero pressure to speak.

This page is here to explain what Andy’s Man Club actually is, what happens when you walk through the door, and how to work out whether it’s right for you.

What Andy’s Man Club Is

Andy’s Man Club is a men’s suicide prevention charity offering weekly talking groups across the UK and online. The whole message is simple: it’s okay to talk.

It was founded in Halifax in 2016 and is named after Andrew Roberts, who died by suicide aged 23 in early 2016. His death, and the shock of how hidden his struggle was to the people closest to him, is a key part of why the charity exists.

Andy’s Man Club is a registered charity in England and Wales (1179647) and Scotland (SC051485).

Who It’s For

The groups are for men aged 18+. Andy’s Man Club describes the sessions as men-only.

You don’t have to be a dad to attend, and you don’t have to be in crisis.

Plenty of men turn up because they’re:

• burned out
• low, anxious, or numb
• struggling in their relationship
• dealing with separation or money stress
• carrying grief
• lonely, even with people around them
• not sleeping properly
• getting angry quicker than they used to
• functioning on the outside but not coping on the inside

If any of that feels familiar, you’ll probably fit right in.

When And Where The Groups Run

Andy’s Man Club groups meet every Monday at 7pm, except UK bank holidays.

There are hundreds of locations around the UK (their group finder has 320+ locations listed) and you can just turn up without contacting anyone first.

If you don’t have a local group nearby, or you’d rather not go in-person yet, Andy’s Man Club also offers online groups via Google Meet. The charity says you can access these by emailing their main inbox.

What Happens At A Session

One of the biggest barriers for men is not knowing what to expect. Andy’s Man Club leans into the opposite: a familiar structure each week.

A typical session looks like this:

• you arrive (many venues open the door a bit before 7pm)
• you’re welcomed in by facilitators
• you settle in, usually with a brew and a biscuit
• there’s a simple introduction
• the group works through five questions across the session, with facilitators answering first
• you can speak, or you can pass and just listen
• the session finishes with a positive note

The first three questions are consistent each week:

• How’s your week been?
• What’s been one positive from your week?
• Anything to get off your chest?

The final two questions vary, but the idea is that you’re not just dredging everything up and walking out raw.

Do You Have To Talk?

No.

Andy’s Man Club is explicit about this. There’s no pressure to speak, and many men start by just listening.

If you’re the type who’d rather “see what it’s like” before you risk opening your mouth, that approach is normal there.

Confidentiality And Safety

The groups are described as confidential: what’s said in the room stays in the room.

There is one important exception: Andy’s Man Club says confidentiality can be broken if a facilitator believes you’re a harm to yourself or others, in which case emergency services may be notified.

That’s not there to police people. It’s there because sometimes the safest thing for a man is for someone else to step in when he can’t.

What Andy’s Man Club Is Not

This matters, because it stops disappointment and confusion.

Andy’s Man Club is:

• not therapy
• not counselling
• not a crisis line
• not a medical service

They describe themselves as peer-led and make clear they can’t provide immediate support. It is a place to talk, share experiences and feelings, and realise there are other people out there with issues like yours.

That doesn’t make it “less than”. It just means it sits in a different place. It’s more informal. For a lot of men, that’s exactly why it works.

If You Need Help Right Now

If you’re reading this and you’re at the edge of yourself, don’t wait for Monday night.

Andy’s Man Club signposts urgent support options, including:

• Samaritans: call 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• CALM helpline and webchat (hours vary)
• NHS 111 option 2 for mental health support
• Call 999 if someone’s life is at immediate risk

If you’re a dad with kids in the house, this is one of those moments where “being strong” means getting help quickly, not sitting with it alone.

Tips For Your First Time Going

If you’re anxious about walking in, you’re normal. Most men are. It can help to arrive a bit early so you’re not dealing with the awkward feeling of walking in late, and to remind yourself that you’re allowed to just sit and listen. A lot of men do exactly that at first.

If having an exit plan makes things feel safer, park somewhere you could leave easily. Most men never use it, but knowing you could can take the edge off.

Try not to overthink what you’ll say if you do speak. You can answer the questions with a single sentence if that’s all you’ve got in you. And if you do get emotional, you won’t be the first and you won’t be judged for it.

The hardest part is usually getting through the first door. Everything after that tends to feel a bit more doable.

Why This Can Matter Specifically For Dads

A lot of men don’t talk because fatherhood gives you a reason to keep going even when you’re struggling. You can still show up for your kids every day while quietly falling apart inside.

Many dads carry the pressure to be reliable no matter what, the guilt of not enjoying fatherhood as much as they think they should, the resentment that comes from never having time to breathe, and the fear that if they admit they’re struggling they’ll be seen as a risk rather than a parent.

A peer-led room can be a relief because you don’t have to justify yourself or explain your place in the world. You just speak like a bloke who’s had a hard week, in front of other blokes who understand exactly what that feels like.

If You’re Thinking About Going

If you’re waiting until things are “bad enough”, that line tends to move.

If you’re even considering it, that’s usually your sign.

You don’t have to go in and pour your soul out. You can go in, sit down, have a brew, and listen to other men answer a few questions. That alone can shift something.