Andy’s Man Club gives Hendon’s men space to talk

I met Andy’s Man Club at the Hub Connections: World Mental Health Day 2026 event in Hendon on Tuesday 6 October. The club brings together men from different backgrounds, from those in well-paid jobs to those out of work. Mental health can be a real leveller.

In 2024, 7,147 deaths by suicide were registered across the UK, equivalent to roughly one every 74 minutes.

The Barnet group meets at the Meritage Centre in Hendon, home to Meridian Wellbeing, every Monday at 7pm, except bank holidays. Sessions are free for men aged 18 and over, with no booking needed.

Men sit in a circle and pass a ball around, giving each person space to speak while others listen. There’s no pressure: you can simply pass it on.

In Barnet’s 2021–22 evaluation, all 14 respondents said attending helped them feel more comfortable discussing their emotions and mental health. Many felt less alone.

That’s a small sample, and the club offers peer support rather than professional treatment. But there’s something valuable here: whatever your job or background, there’s a place where you can be heard.

If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans is free on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

Sources

• Barnet Post — Real voices, real change: putting lived experience at the heart of mental health support in Barnet
• House of Commons Library — Suicide statistics
• Barnet Wellbeing — Peer Support
• ANDYSMANCLUB — How Groups Run
• ANDYSMANCLUB — Frequently Asked Questions
• Barnet Council — Suicide Prevention Campaign in Barnet: Evaluation Report 2021–22 (pages 10 and 24)
• Samaritans — Talk to us on the phone