07 Oct TOWN FOUNDATION AND ANDY’S MAN CLUB DRIVING AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH

In August 2019, the Huddersfield Town Foundation and mental health charity Andy’s Man Club received money from the sale of Huddersfield Town’s fake Paddy Power home shirts.

An estimated £13,996 was donated to the Town Foundation, with the same amount also spilt between Andy’s Man Club (AMC) and Huddersfield Street Kitchen.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, taking place on Saturday 10 October 2020, the Town Foundation caught up with Neil Waine, a facilitator at AMC’s Huddersfield club, to see how the money has been used and highlight the importance of talking.

AMC was originally founded in Halifax after the passing of Andy Roberts, who sadly took his own life at the age of 23.

That first session had 15 men in attendance, and the charity has now expanded to the point that before lockdown there were roughly 1,000 regular attendees at 28 clubs across the country.

With sessions now gradually retuning to being in person, it is hoped that simply being able to talk to other people face to face will have a positive effect on the mental health of the club’s members.

On the call, Neil explained:

“The pandemic will have sent the number of people needing the help of mental health services through the roof.

To be able to return to some sort of normal, whatever that may be, will only be a good thing.”

The Town Foundation’s Mental Health Football sessions are also now taking place weekly, using sport as a tool to meet new people, develop confidence and build friendships.

Held every Thursday from 12.30pm-2pm at Leeds Road Sports Complex, HD2 1YY, the session is open to anybody who wishes to take part. Even if you don’t wish to play football, you’re more than welcome to come along and have a chat!

You can find out more about the work of Andy’s Man Club via their website – www.andysmanclub.co.uk.

If you would like more information about the Town Foundation’s Mental Health Football sessions or other Health initiatives, please contact Richard Martinson on Richard.martinson@htafcfoundation.com or 07741 671 595 in the first instance.

You can watch the full interview with Neil on #HTTV below!