News

Ex-Salford rugby player and Andy’s Man Club co-founder receives special honour from University of Bradford

Helping change the stigma around men's mental health one step at a time.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd July 2024

Ex-Salford rugby player, motivational speaker and health coach Luke Ambler has been given a special honour for his work with the men’s mental health organisation, Andy’s Man Club.

The former rugby league athlete and Ireland international – whose career started out at Salford City Reds before moving on to Leeds Rhinos, York, Harlequins and Halifax – set up Andy’s Man Club in 2016 after the loss of his brother to suicide, with the vital support group and charity growing massively since then.

Now hosting more than 4,500 men at over 190 different regional support groups across the country every week, including several here in Greater Manchester – one over at Etihad being the most recent – the non-profit has become a vital resource for men in the UK and only keeps spreading further.

As a result of his incredible dedication towards men’s mental health and suicide prevention, the 34-year-old was presented with a special award from the University of Bradford last week.

As reported by The Hoot, Ambler received an outstanding contribution award from Bradford Uni on Tuesday, 16 July, being presented with the accolade during their ongoing summer graduation.

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In typically humble fashion, he dedicated the honour to everyone but himself: “To all my team; my parents, my kids, my family, friends, staff and volunteers thank you – none of us do it alone.

“Thank you also to all of you who have supported us and continue to do so thank you.”

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Speaking to the BBC, he went on to add: “It’s amazing to look back on how far it has come… I don’t want to put a limit on it – we really want to help more men and find out why people get into such dark places.”

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Male mental health continues to be a hugely overlooked and pressing issue and the impact of organisations like Luke’s cannot be overstated, having not only provided an all-important outlet but also raised huge funds and awareness for the cause.

Meeting every Monday at 7pm, Andy’s Man Club is all about creating a safe space for men to open up about the storms affecting their lives in a safe, judgement-free and non-clinical environment. You can find your nearest location HERE.

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Well done from all of us at The Manc Group, Luke. You can watch the presentation and his acceptance speech in full down below.

#ITSOKAYTOTALK

What a lovely way to honour the Andy’s Man Club co-creator.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Luke Ambler

News

Andy Burnham wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the country if he is to become Prime Minister.

In case you need brining up to speed first, after it was announced earlier this month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.

And this week, Mr Burnham has now delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to give the country a ‘new direction’.

Burnham says that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster.

A lot has been discussed and reported on when it comes to Burnham’s intentions to create a so-called Number 10 North here in Manchester, but what exactly does it mean to take the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to the capital?

“The Greater Manchester way is based on strong partnership between all sectors: public, private,
community, voluntary, academic, faith, and our trade unions,” Burnham said in his speech.

He continued: “When I started as Mayor in 2017, we set about building a new approach, a new politics based on the exact opposite of the Westminster approach.

“Place-first, not party-first. Problem-solving, not point-scoring. Long-term, not short-term.

“A decade on, it’s incredible how much we’ve been able to achieve by working together instead
of fighting against one another.”

Burnham said he feels the truth is that the country spends ‘too much time arguing and not enough time doing’ and that for Britain to get back where it ‘should be’, his Government would ask everyone to ‘face the same way’ and then ‘pull in that same direction together’.

He declared that No 10 North will be the ‘nerve centre’ for a rewired Britain.

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“It will be the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK,” he concluded. “It will coordinate all parts of Government, at national and local level, to agree a long-term
economic strategy and help all places set new growth ambitions.”

Featured Image – GMCA


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Body of missing 15-year-old boy recovered from water at Salford country park

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The body of a missing 15-year-old boy has sadly been recovered from the water at a country park in Salford.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called  to reports of a teenager getting in to difficulty in the water at Clifton Country Park in Salford at around 4:51pm this past Saturday (27 June).

Since then, emergency services – including partners from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) – have been working together to locate the missing boy.

But despite their best efforts, a body was, unfortunately, located in the water yesterday (29 June).

The body was recovered from the water by specialists at North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit, GMP confirmed.

Formal identification is yet to take place, but police are supporting the family of the missing boy in the meantime.

“Saturday’s incident is truly heartbreaking,” commented Detective Inspector Dave Ogden, from the Salford CID.

“My thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the young boy who has so tragically lost his life. While we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances, this incident is an incredibly upsetting reminder of the serious risks associated with open water.

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“We understand people want to make the most of the warm weather, but we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.

“Please take care and enjoy the weather in a safe way.”

Featured Image – David Dixon (via Geograph)


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