Burslem Pub Launches Blokes Club to Tackle Social Isolation and Support Men’s Mental Health

This article has been written by Adam Colclough who is a journalist taking part in our Community Voices Programme. Community Voices is funded by Community Foundation Staffordshire and is led by The Community Cast supported by 6 Towns Radio.

A Burslem micro-pub is launching a new initiative aimed at tackling social isolation and encouraging men to speak more openly about their mental health.

Hog Noggins launched its Blokes Club on September 16 and it will continue to take place on Wednesday evenings, creating a welcoming space where men can meet, socialise and, if they choose, talk about their feelings in a relaxed and informal environment.

While traditional ideas of the “strong, silent type” may have largely faded from modern society, concerns remain that men’s mental wellbeing continues to be overlooked in public health discussions.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in eight men in the UK report experiencing common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, campaigners believe the true figure could be significantly higher due to the stigma that still surrounds men discussing their emotional wellbeing.

Research from the charity also found that 35 per cent of men aged between 18 and 25 who identified as having mental health difficulties were not seeking support.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone and are often linked to factors such as relationship breakdowns, unemployment and financial pressures.

Organisers hope the new club will provide a safe and supportive setting where men can build connections and combat loneliness. As well as enjoying a pint, attendees will be able to choose from a range of soft drinks, tea and coffee, while taking part in traditional pub games such as darts and cards.

Although the sessions will offer opportunities for men to discuss their feelings, there will be no expectation or pressure to do so.

The Hog Noggins Blokes Club is being run in partnership with men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club.

Among those helping to organise the events is Simon Cullen, a member of Andy’s Man Club, who said his own experiences had shown him how important it is to challenge perceptions surrounding men’s mental health.

“Having fought my own battles with mental health, I look at the stigma still linked to men’s mental health and know just how many barriers we still have to break down,” he said.

Mr Cullen said more “avenues” were needed for men to talk openly about how they were feeling without being judged or seen as weak. He also praised the team at Hog Noggins for the support they had provided during difficult periods in his own life.

“They have been a massive support to me through some tough times. I’m proud of the work they do to support the wellbeing of their customers and the wider community, and I’ll be supporting this latest initiative in any way I can.”

Andy’s Man Club was founded in memory of Andrew Roberts, who took his own life at the age of 23 in 2016. The charity was established by his mother, Elaine Roberts, and brother-in-law, Luke Ambler, and provides peer-to-peer support groups for men aged 18 and over.

The organisation describes its meetings as a “judgement-free and non-clinical environment” where men can speak openly about their mental health.

What began as a single group of six men meeting in Halifax has since grown into a nationwide network of support groups.

There are currently two Andy’s Man Club groups operating in Stoke-on-Trent, one at Port Vale Football Club on Hamil Road and another at Foley Meir FC on Whitcombe Road. Both meet at 7pm every Monday, excluding bank holidays.

The new Blokes Club at Hog Noggins aims to complement those existing services by offering an additional opportunity for local men to connect, support one another and help break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

Hog Noggins is located at 38 Market Place, Burslem, ST6 4AR and the Blokes Club will take place on each Wednesday 16^th at 7pm.