A group of men who were involved in Andy's Man Club in Barrow are now set to launch a new one in Ulverston today (December 2).

Building on Barrow's success which launched in February 2024, the south Cumbrian town will now open its own branch of the national charity which focuses on raising awareness about men's mental health.

Andy Chambers, 44, who works at BAE, is one of the facilitators who is trained to provide peer-to-peer support for other men looking to open up about their feelings.

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Andy said: "We've formed the club in Ulverston as we realise that people coming to Barrow where coming from all over and it can add a good few miles to someone's journey.

"We put the invite out to anybody who is curious, this is a walk in society.

"You don't need a referral and there is no pressure to talk. Everything said is confidential and you're in a non judgemental environment. 

Andy's Man Club mental health awareness tent in Ulverston earlier this month (Image: Andy's Man Club Ulverston) "I used to be one of those people, who believed in 'man up', until I learned a lot more about it from Shaun Hannaway who set up the Barrow club.

"I did a complete 180 and it made me want to help people overcome their struggles.

"It has knock on effect and improves families and the women in their lives also benefit - it was quite common in Barrow to see people's wife, girlfriends or sisters dropping them off.

"Andy's Man Club is just a fantastic initiative that I wanted to get involved with."

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The Ulverston group will be based at the Gen2 Furness Skills Centre on the Lightburn Industrial Estate and will run from 7-9pm.

Joining Andy will be Oscar Partridge, 30, Matt McCann, 27, who work at BAE and Steve who is the newest member of the AMC-in-Furness facilitators.

Oscar said: "Mental health awareness something I really wanted to get involved with. I have been through a tough time myself, I lost my mum during Covid

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"Everyone has dark moments and I used to be part of the whole toxic masculinity thing, never opened up about my feelings, however the popularity of  Barrow shows how much of a mental health pandemic we're in and that people need something like Andy's Man Club.

"We're here for anyone who wants to come along with no pressure.

Steve, Ulverston's newest facilitator outside Gen 2 (Image: Andy's Man Club Ulverston) Steve added: "My message is simple, I'd say to anyone is curious, just come, because getting through the door is the hardest part.

"It may take a few visits to feel comfortable enough to talk. I've been through a recent hard time.

"When I first attended in Barrow, when the ball was passed me, I simply said 'I want to become a facilitator' and I couldn't say any more.

"The next time, it all came out.

"Tonight, there'll be guys on the door waiting for people to arrive, they can show you around, have a tea or a coffee, but once you make that first step, you won't regret it."

Matt McCann, 27, is one of the younger facilitators from Ulverston  (Image: Andy's Man Club Ulverston) Matt who is one the younger facilitators says he would like to see younger people come forward.

He said: "For me, the best thing about being a facilitator is watching those guys come through the door for the first time and seeing their progress and how much they come out of their shell.

"If it sounds like something you'd be interested in, get yourself down there and I'll be there to greet you."

Andy's Man Club Ulverston now has a dedicated Facebook page for anyone would like to take a look.