A national movement to transform male mental health is reaching Bognor Regis this month, as the UK marks a major milestone in suicide prevention services.
As the national charity Andy’s Man Club celebrates its tenth anniversary, Bognor Regis is set to host two significant events aimed at supporting men in the community. Today, Saturday 12 September, a Suicide Awareness and Prevention walk is being held in the town, followed later this month by the launch of a dedicated new support group.
In response to the growing need for accessible, non-clinical support, a new branch of ‘Men Walking & Talking’ will begin operating from the Bognor Regis Bandstand on Thursday 24 September.
The group will meet at 7pm at the Bandstand on The Esplanade. The initiative follows a peer-support model that has seen success across the country, providing a space for men to speak openly while walking, which many find less intimidating than traditional face-to-face settings.
The local expansion coincides with a decade of growth for Andy’s Man Club. Founded in 2016, the organisation has grown from a single group in Halifax to a national network of more than 150 free-to-attend peer-support sessions. According to the charity’s official history, the movement was established to provide a “debt-free, non-judgmental” space for men to talk.
While Bognor Regis prepares for its new walking group, residents seeking immediate support from established Andy’s Man Club sessions can access the nearest branch in Littlehampton. That group meets every Monday from 7pm to 9pm at 23 Maltravers Drive, BN17 5EY.
The push for better male mental health provision has continued this year. In May 2026, a new James’ Place clinical centre opened in Birmingham. James’ Place provides free, life-saving therapy to men in suicidal crisis and has been expanding its reach across major UK cities.
For Bognor Regis residents interested in the new ‘Men Walking & Talking’ group, the sessions are scheduled to run every Thursday at 7pm. No referral is required to attend, and the sessions are free of charge.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the following services are available:
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24/7).
- NHS 111: Select the mental health option for urgent support.
- SHOUT: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for a confidential text-based service.
