Andy’s Man Club co-founder awarded University of Bradford honour
Luke Ambler has turned tragedies in his own life into ways to help other people.
The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player has been given an Outstanding Contribution Award by the University of Bradford in recognition of his work as co-founder of the male suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club.
When Luke’s brother-in-law, Andy Roberts, took his own life aged 23 in 2016, he was determined to raise awareness and support for men’s mental health.
Andy’s Man Club, with the slogan ‘It’s Okay to Talk’ and co-founded by Andy’s mother Elaine, started with nine men attending its first support group meeting in Halifax in 2016. It has since become a national men’s mental health movement, with more than 4,500 men meeting at over 190 support groups across the UK every Monday, apart from bank holidays, at 7pm.
Beacon of light
Luke, 34, said: “It’s very important for men to accept that they have a problem first. It’s OK not to have all the answers right now. There is no shame in needing help. Once people can do that; break down barriers, it’s a game-changer. We all have a story to tell. People don’t know how important it is. They might be the beacon of light in someone else’s dark times.
“Life is so short and fragile. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it. We have good, bad and indifferent times – that’s the beauty of life. It makes you appreciate the good times when they come.”
Despite acknowledging the success of Andy’s Man Club, Luke is determined to help even more men with their mental health.
The father-of-three said: “I had experiences around me which taught me how to deal with adversity.
“When someone dies of suicide it leaves lots of unanswered questions. It leaves people completely devastated because you think you could have helped to prevent it.
“We’ve just got to keep going with Andy’s Man Club. 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.
“I feel pretty good, but I’m proud of the fact that I continue to work on myself. I have a really grounded perspective on life. Don’t let success go to your head and don’t let failure go to your heart.”
Luke has been given an Outstanding Contribution Award by the University of Bradford ‘In recognition of his dedication to raising awareness and support for men’s mental health, and his significant difference this is making locally and nationally’.
Of his award, Luke said: “It’s lovely and nice to be thought of in that regard. I always like to think that it’s about the team. I have been fortunate to build a really good team at Andy’s Man Club.
“That comes from having a captain like Kevin Sinfield when I played at Leeds, who said it’s not about one person, it’s about the team.”
‘It’s about the team’
Luke experienced turmoil aged eight when his parents separated, was bullied at school and his mother suffered from brain damage after being injured in a serious car crash.
During his teens he played rugby league to escape from the bullies, eventually representing Rhinos, Salford City Reds, Harlequins, York City Knights, Halifax and internationally for Ireland.
But following his release by the Rhinos, Luke began to comfort eat and had an altercation while out drinking and ended up in a police cell. He thought about what he wanted to do next with his life which later led to the creation of Andy’s Man Club.
Luke also works as a motivational speaker, giving talks and workshops for schools and businesses. He set up an online community called ‘Luke’s Mindtribe’ and has launched the ‘Bee You Journal’, which offers tools and techniques to support mental health.
He had these inspirational words for his fellow University of Bradford graduates: “Don’t put a ceiling on your life. We often put ceilings on what we are capable of.
“I am a kid from a single parent background who now sits on government boards on mental health.”