Council plans to improve people’s emotional wellbeing have been welcomed by a group set up to get more talking to improve their mental health.

Andy’s Man Club is a national charity that provides drop-in sessions to help men with their mental health problems.

Declan Moore, worker at Andy Man’s Club in Sheffield, said that before the pandemic they would have 50 men come to their session on a Monday.

Since restrictions hit, their groups have gone online but still attract an average of 15 to 16 men participate.

Mr Moore said: “I do think that mental health is a large issue to be dealt with and anything that Andy’s Man Club can do to help the council we are more than happy to do.

“It’s about giving people a voice and a safe space to talk about these things, it’s a place where people understand each other’s concerns.”

In a Joint Commissioning Committee meeting on Monday, Sheffield City Council outlined its priority areas for improvement which included: their targets to develop mental health support services, enable people of all ages with mental illnesses to live happier and independent lives and improve physical health for young people and adults.

Coun Sam Martin said: “We want to continue to focus on some particularly vulnerable groups.

“That includes asylum seekers who often arrive in the city with really severe mental health needs, particularly around post-traumatic stress.”

The council have also highlighted rough sleepers, bereavement support and problem gamblers as other vulnerable groups that they want to help support.

Coun Heather Burns said: “It really is a joy to behold to see how people are just getting on and working to support each other across the voluntary sector, NHS statutory partners and local authorities.”

The council are also planning to offer primary mental health care across the city. Coun Burns also said that the mental health partnership board is about to be relaunched which joins the learning disability and autism partnership boards that Sheffield already has.

Coun Burns said: “There is a lot to be done, we’re up for the challenge and I think we’re working really well across partner organisations.”

Mr Moore described the work that the council are planning as “invaluable” and said that it will be welcomed by people.

To contact Andy’s Man Club in Sheffield email info@andysmanclub.co.uk or visit http://andysmanclub.co.uk/