MORE than 20 men have been helped by the new Westbury Men's Group since November.

It is now acting as a place for local health care providers to send patients for non-clinical help.

Organiser Ryan Child, the events manager for Westbury Town Council, said: "After a busy six weeks with more than 20 different guys walking through the door, the group has also started to receive members directly from health care providers in the area.

"This is all part of social prescribing, where primary care professionals can refer people to local, non-clinical services. All geared towards improving that person’s health and wellbeing."

Mr Child added: “We are still in the early days of this group, but I’m so glad to be working with local health providers and providing a service for the town.

"Guys have come over for a cup of tea for all sorts of reasons, from depression to just feeling a bit lonely.

"It’s been great so far and we’re always open to new people just dropping in when they feel like it.

"The group also seems to be inspiring other members of the community to come forward and talk, looking to start their own meet-ups.

“A local woman walked into the council office last week with a brilliant idea for starting her own group, after seeing the Men’s Group advert.

"To be honest, I think the more we can look to build community in the town the stronger it will become,” Mr Child said.

The town council decided to launch the group on November 4 after the World Mental Health Day in October.

Figures show that Wiltshire’s higher than national average suicide rate is one motivation for the group, not least because 75 per cent of all suicides are male.

Mr Child added: "It’s also true that one in eight men have a common mental health problem but are far less likely to seek help than their female counterparts.

"However, the group is also aimed at anyone who just fancies a chat."

The group is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, Wiltshire MIND, the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and Headlight.org.uk

It meets every Monday at 7pm at The Laverton's Abraham Room in Westbury. All men are welcome to attend.