Rotherham men's suicide prevention group launched

Andy's Man Club was first launched in 2016 and now has 120 groups across the UK

A suicide prevention charity for men has been expanded with a new support group being set up in South Yorkshire.

Andy's Man Club was set up in 2016 by Halifax rugby league player Luke Ambler after his brother-in-law took his own life, and it now has 120 UK groups.

Rotherham has become the latest location for the club to hold sessions.

Richard Gaynor, from Andy's Man Club in South Yorkshire, said that at the sessions, "you can talk about whatever you want".

'No judgement'

Mr Gaynor said he had originally turned to the charity, which aimed to break down stigmas and support men struggling mentally for support, when he was going through a particularly difficult time himself.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I suffered with depression, anxiety and grief. I've had a lot of grief over the last few years and I've struggled.

"It all came to a head this time last year when my wife left me. It came to a point where I thought, I've got to do something here."

Mr Gaynor said he attended a local Andy's Man Club group, which he found to be somewhere he was free to share what was on his mind.

He had since become lead facilitator for the charity in Brinsworth, and there were also groups in Maltby and Manvers, with another one being set up in Wombwell, he added.

"There is no judgement," Mr Gaynor said.

The new group in Rotherham meets on Mondays from 19:00 at the Tesco community rooms in Drummond Street.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, the BBC Action Line has links to organisations which can offer support and advice.