Community groups receive funding from Arun District Council

Four of groups that have benefited from the wellbeing grant fund support local people’s mental health.

Littlehampton-based Andy’s Man Club (AMC), which supports men with mental-health issues from across the district, was awarded £832 to help get the group established. This matched funds the group raised earlier in the year, meaning AMC can continue to run at Dove Lodge in Littlehampton for a further six months.

Men in Sheds Littlehampton East received £500 to buy a much-needed bandsaw for the group’s workshop, while Men Walk Talk, which raises awareness of men’s mental health issues, received £375 to promote the service, and Adapts Hub CIC, which also has a focus on mental health, received £250 to fund IT equipment and peer-support training.

James Stafford, 40, one of the AMC Littlehampton founders, said: “Myself, Mike and the men that come to our group every Monday are really pleased that the council realised the need to support men’s mental health and enabled us to keep supporting the local community for another six months.”

Matt Pollard, founder of Men Walk Talk said: “As a charity, we are really keen to let more people know about our offer, because no one ever plans to struggle, to have a bad day or to become socially isolated.

“We want guys to know that we’re here and we’re ready to listen, whenever they’re ready, whatever their story.

“Your mess really could be someone else’s message, so don’t keep it to yourself. We’ve learned over the last two years of meeting other guys that there really is strength in numbers and however small or large a community is, communication always wins over isolation.