At Solitaire, supporting wellbeing and encouraging open conversations is something all the team take seriously. Recently, we welcomed Brett and Matt from Andy’s Man Club to deliver a powerful presentation focused on men’s mental health and suicide awareness within the trade industry – as part of our ‘Solitaire toolbox talks’ sessions.
“The connection first came about after meeting Brett from Andy’s Man Club at the Maldon Classic Car Show last September, an event proudly sponsored by Solitaire,” said Office and Sales Manager, George.
Following that introduction, Brett and Matt visited the office last month to speak with the team and share more about the work Andy’s Man Club does across the UK.
Simple conversations can be important
One of the biggest takeaways from the session was the scale of mental health struggles and suicide rates. While Andy’s Man Club supports men facing a wide range of challenges, one statement from Brett particularly resonated with the team:
Any issue may seem small, but if it’s the biggest issue in your life, it’s worth talking about.
George added: “The talk reinforced how important simple conversations can be. Sometimes, just asking someone “Are you okay?” or “How are you doing today?” can open the door to a conversation that genuinely helps someone feel supported.
“Within the workplace, creating a team environment where people feel comfortable talking and sharing problems can make a huge difference. Having open chats, checking in with our colleagues, and supporting one another helps break down the stigma that still surrounds mental health, especially among men.”
Nobody has to struggle alone
Andy’s Man Club has been on the front lines of challenging this stigma for the past nine years. By encouraging honest and open conversations, the organisation reminds men that it’s okay to talk and that nobody has to struggle alone.
Today, Andy’s Man Club operates in more than 350 locations across the UK, with meetings held every Monday from 7pm to 9pm. Each session follows the same simple and welcoming format, helping members feel comfortable and secure. The group works through five questions each week, starting with:
- How has your week been?
- One positive from your week?
- Anything to get off your chest?
The third question is often where deeper conversations begin and is a key reason many men attend in the first place.
The remaining questions are lighter in tone and designed to encourage positivity and connection. Questions might include topics such as “What is your happy place and why?” or fun quick-fire questions like “What’s your favourite biscuit?”
Creating a safe, judgement-free environment is at the heart of every session. There is no registration, no referral process, no record-keeping, and no pressure to speak. New attendees are welcomed by trained facilitators who help them settle in with a cup of tea and a biscuit before the session begins.
Andy’s Man Club is free to attend
Attending a group session is free and you don’t need to let them know in advance if you are planning to attend. All the groups meet every Monday at 7pm (except Bank Holidays). Local to Maldon there is a group in Chelmsford which you can find out more about by visiting https://andysmanclub.co.uk/groups. Alternatively, you can join one of their online meetings – available via Google Meet – by emailing info@andymansclub.co.uk.
How you can support Andy’s Man Club
- Invite a regional lead to speak at your workplace or organisation
- Donate to help keep the club free and accessible
- Share their social media posts to help spread awareness
For more information, visit https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
