Crematorium’s helping hand for men’s support group
A charity which aims to provide men with a safe space in which they feel comfortable to talk and open up about their experiences has received a helping hand itself from Babworth Crematorium.
A £3,000 donation has been given to Andy’s Man Club, an organisation which provides free peer-to-peer support groups nationwide, including several within the communities around the crematorium.
The organisation wants to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and to help men through the power of conversation.
It was formed following the death of Andrew Roberts, who took his own life at the age of 23 in early 2016, with his family having had no idea that he had been struggling so much.
A few months later, nine men met in a small room in Halifax with the aim of talking through any issues they had, and all agreed that the experience of that evening should be shared more widely – and that’s how Andy’s Man Club began.
The volunteer-led groups provide a forum where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their mental health in a judgement-free, non-clinical, environment.
The club has more than 200 free support groups nationwide, supporting more than 4,500 men every week.
Babworth Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 40 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Manager Ben Schofield said: “Some of my colleagues had heard about the work of Andy’s Man Club and felt that it was a very worthwhile charity to support.
“Most people know of someone in their lives who could benefit from a judgement-free chat, but it’s well known that men traditionally find it a lot harder than women to open up and talk.
“Andy’s Man Club works hard to provide a safe space which shows men that it is good to talk and the support they offer has made a huge difference to the lives of so many people, not just in our local communities but all over the country.
“It’s a privilege to be able to support the organisation to enable it to continue providing its valuable support services.”
The donation from the crematorium came from its metal recycling scheme.
With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives which benefit the communities that the crematorium serves.
To find out more about Andy’s Man Club, including the location of its groups all over the country, visit: www.andysmanclub.co.uk
For more information about Babworth Crematorium, as well as the exceptional care and support it provides to the bereaved in creating uniquely personal funerals and memorials for their loved ones, visit www.babworthcrematorium.co.uk