The DaleTrust is delighted to continue its supportive collaboration with the men’s mental health and suicide prevention charity “Andysmanclub”. Read exactly what Andymansclub is in our Trust web article HERE and get a deeper understanding of exactly how they can really be the help you, or someone you know may need.
Since our initial agreement last season, the Trust has renewed its commitment to the organisation for this season, and we are delighted to report that, since those early days last year, the local Andysmanclub team has opened two new groups in Rochdale, which continue to provide a safe space for an ever-increasing number of men from the Rochdale community.
We asked Derek Robinson, a huge Dale fan and a season ticket holder of many years, who was also the Andysmanclub initial principal facilitator at Spotland, to pen a few words and bring some backstory.
“So, my role is that I am part of the Peer to Peer suicide prevention charity called Andysmanclub, which also brings an acute focus and support for mental health issues in men. Originally based at the ANDYSMANCLUB at Spotland, which has developed into one of the largest groups in the area. I am now actively promoting and leading facilitation in two other parts of the borough, Littleborough and Milnrow
We have 3 groups in Rochdale Borough, one in the Community hub at the COA meeting on Mondays. During the development of the Andysmanclub at Spotland, Bob, the then Daletrust chair and Trust welfare officer, discussed how they could support and promote the Andysmanclub, and in their words, “we have seen with our own welfare work a clear and tangible need for something like AMC”. This brilliant support came at just the right time, as the club’s AMC was in its infancy. Their offer led to a permanent agreement for “Collaborative Support with the DaleTrust,” providing a framework for further community development.
We worked with Bob and the Trust team, and with goodwill from Simon Gauge, the Dale RAFC club chair, to develop the awareness tables, not only sharing space with the DaleTrust but also within the Ratcliff Bars and Suite on match days, the support of the Trusts sister organisation, Dale 1907, needs to be acknowledged for the friendly and supportive way they have been to us.
During this recent work, we aim to create a new group in Heywood, our fourth in Rochdale Borough. We thank the Dale Supporters Trust for tirelessly working behind the scenes and assisting and supporting us in this venture.
Following the initial Monday meetings, organised bucket shakes at the COA, awareness tables within the Ratcliff and Dale Bar staffed by AMC volunteers—all of whom gained insight from being Andysmanclub members, and with DaleTrust’s support—the organisation has grown, helping men in dark places find support and new meaning in their lives.
Finally, I would like to share my story, published last year here on the Trust website, its a story which may be all to familiar to some, but, with the help of friends at the Rochdale Andysmanclub I progressed to a better place, read it HERE, I hope it will inspire those that may need, help and support is just a conversation away.