Man-Archy is a men’s mental health provision, providing assistance for over 100 men in our community in the past 3 years. We tackle inequalities in men’s mental health in West Lancs. Our program uses talking therapies, support groups, one to one intervention, befriending service, and physical activity programmes. It is a service for men within Skelmersdale and those living in West Lancashire struggling to cope with a variety of issues and situations impacting on their mental health. We work in partnership with a variety of community partners to deliver a person-centred local offer for suicide prevention and crisis intervention for men looking to make changes and to reconnect to their community. 

 

Find Us On Instagram – @Man_archyuk

Case Study

This is a case of one of our first gentleman referred, he was a self-employed entrepreneur and had grown his business from scratch, to be worth over £1.5m in total. Just before covid 19 hit, he had a family breakdown and lost his business, his partner and his children went against him. He went from having what is perceived as “everything” to nothing in a matter of weeks. Nowhere to live, no income, no prospects and he hit rock bottom and was seriously contemplating suicide, as a way out.

We met and he was dishevelled, incoherent and had a pronounced stammer and not enough money to pay his bills or rent. Immediately we worked with SWLIcan to see if he was entitled to PIP and cover some essential bills, he was and that released some of the tension he had. Over the weeks and months, we met regularly and used the canal network to go for walks and talk about him, some goals, the wildlife and subject matter that he was interested in. In time, his stammer reduced, he took more personal care of himself and started gardening again. 

When speaking of his interests he spoke about connecting with the community, so we investigated some places that may be of interest to him and reached out to those groups. This community based group then helped him grow again and have purpose, getting him back to his former self. In the months following this, he was able to think about looking for paid work, rather than voluntary, and a group in Chorley, providing Peer Mentoring was looking for people to fill a vacancy. He was keen, but was unsure of the process. We worked through the application and he was successful and now works full-time in this role.

A man in a poorly lit room looks up towards the top right of the image.

Our work with local businesses

Man-archy’s purpose is to be a preventative measure for businesses and individuals, and to enable each person to thrive in and out of their working environment. Our aim is to enable each person we connect with to fulfil their potential, operating in all areas of their lives as the best version of themselves. Our experience and work show that this leads to an increase in productivity, a reduction in sickness absence and staff turnover, and strengthens the working relationships of teams and their leaders, by enabling each person to understand, and openly converse with a line manager or colleague, about their wellbeing. 

 Take a look by clicking here, to learn more about our work and how we can help your business

Testimony

Hi Richard hope you’re well?
 
I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for always taking the time to check up on me and offer advice or just being there to listen. I’m very grateful for that so thank you. 
 
I think what you’re doing with supporting and spreading awareness for Men’s mental health is absolutely incredible and of course very important and I’m sure it will help many more men as it already has done, with me being one of them. 
 
I’m doing quite a bit better now, I feel settled here in Gran Canaria and am working. So little by little things seem to be picking up and I feel very lucky and blessed for the things I have in my life and to be living where I am. 
 
I feel I no longer need any support and I have things to focus on and keep busy with if you know what I mean. So I wanted to let you know and say how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me Richard. 
 
And I wish you and Man-archy all the best for the future.

Project Outcome/Update

Man-archy is now into its 5th year as a mental
health and wellbeing support in West Lancashire. At time of issue, we have 68
men on our client list, with over 70 returning to work, being referred on,
volunteering or able to enjoy retirement once again.

We have 5 points of contact available. 1 to 1 talking
therapies, our weekly group provision, telephone calls, WhatsApp calls/
messages, email database and our website blogs. These means of communication
keep the men engaged with regular contact and information.

We have been funded by Well Sklemersdale, CCG, Co-op local funding, the NHS and UKSPF. We are actively looking for further funding for the future to save lives by reducing suicide or attempted suicide, cut hospital admissions and engage with each community to make talk of suicide less taboo, to encourage more people to be open about themselves and where they are. 

A man gleefully cheers

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News & Events

Co-op's Local Community Fund.

FEAR – 28/10/2025

FEAR – 28/10/2025

Fear https://www.divinedays.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WhatsApp-Video-2025-10-28-at-11.22.00.mp4A sense of worry, upset, and fear is especially common at the moment, with the mainstream media spreading fear about different subjects — whether it’s the war in Gaza and Palestine, or issues closer to…

For more information, email man-archy@divinedays.co.uk or telephone: 07850 851108