Brigg Freemasons fund a thousand conversations – and could save as many lives
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Freemasons of Ancholme Lodge in Brigg have given £500 to support the work of Andy’s Man Club to provide a place for men to share concerns and talk about problems.
Members of the Lodge met Sean Gill, the area lead, alongside Zach and Stu who are facilitators, working in Brigg and Scunthorpe.
Sean said: “Every 1 hour and 43 minutes another man in Lincolnshire takes their own life, and 75% of suicides are men. Andy’s Man Club aims to break the stigma of seeking help and support.”
The club operates under the strapline of “It’s Okay to talk”, and provides weekly Monday meetings with a brew and a biscuit to offer peer-led support. In only 10 years it has grown from six clubs to over 270, with 300 men meeting on a weekly basis in North Lincolnshire alone.
Sean added: “The organisation works on a 1-to-1 funding basis, so every £1 donated is spent on direct support with no admin or overhead costs.
“The donation from Brigg Freemasons will be used to directly fund more support conversations, which work out at 50p each, and to establish more groups is areas such as Gainsborough.”
Walter Gray, a member of Brigg Freemasons, had identified the club as a worthy recipient of funding, saying: “A family member attended Andy’s Man Club and it did him a world of good, in fact, he is a changed man: confident and in a much better place.”
Brigg Freemasons are proud to say #ITSOKAYTOTALK and support #ANDYSMANCLUB
Brigg Freemasons raise funds for local and national causes throughout the year, contributing to making the Masonic Charitable Foundation the largest grant-making charity after the National Lottery. Lincolnshire Freemasons redistribute locally-raised funds through 76 individual Lodge £500 grants, with the recipients identified by the members. Next year each Lodge will have £1,000 to donate.
