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'Men's breakfast club offers valuable support'

Contributed Paul Cleasby smiles at the camera while wearing a chef uniform. He wear a black hat and a white chef's apron. Contributed
Paul Cleasby set up the breakfast club after running a successful one in Essex

A breakfast club has provided a safe space for men to come together and support one another, its organiser said.

The Brandon Men's Breakfast Club was set up at St Peter's Parish Church in the village of Brandon, Suffolk, by Paul Cleasby, a church warden.

The 56-year-old had previously set up a similar club when he lived in Benfleet, Essex, which still runs today.

He noticed in Brandon there was no space for men to come together and said the monthly meet up was "valuable" for the area.

Contributed A group of men sit around a large table inside a hall eating breakfast. A man closest to the camera is smiling while the others area engaged in conversation and eating.Contributed
The Brandon Men's Breakfast Club was set up about six years ago

"There's always stuff for ladies that goes on through the week," Mr Cleasby explained.

"There's nothing for guys who work and there's no sort of guy space for those who don't want to go to the pub, or they don't want to go to the football.

"That was what was behind it - giving guys a space."

The group meets on the first Saturday of each month and Mr Cleasby said the focus of the group is on men's mental health and wellbeing.

According to Samaritans, the male suicide rate in 2023 was 17.1 per 100,000 people, compared to a female suicide rate of 5.6 per 100,000.

Males aged 45 to 49 were found to have the highest suicide rate, and Mr Cleasby hoped the club provided a safe environment for men to share their concerns.

At one point the club had about 30 attendees, but he said the group now has about 15 who come and enjoy a full English breakfast, cooked by Mr Cleasby.

Contributed A picture of several containers that sit on a long table and are filled with various breakfast foods including bacon, hash browns and more. Plates with tongs rest in front of the containers.Contributed
Mr Cleasby cooks about 60 sausages, three kilograms of bacon, 50 eggs, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns, tomatoes with tea and coffee on tap

The group has become valuable for the attendees who each have their own reasons for joining the group, while male guest speakers are often brought in to discuss a variety of topics.

"What really sold it for me was when my wife had an accident and I had to miss one," Mr Cleasby continued.

"I had to cancel it last minute because I was at the hospital and someone wrote a note saying they were sad about missing their breakfast.

"I'm not the world's best cook... it made me think that perhaps that's the one day they get out and get to meet other guys.

"That's what really drives me to continue to do it."

Contributed A man with short grey hair stands in a wooded area and smiles at the camera. He is wearing a green coat with a black and white wool top underneath.Contributed
Martin Madelin said it was a "no brainer" for him joining the breakfast club

Martin Madelin, 50, moved to Brandon five years ago and has been attending the club for about two years.

He also helps Mr Cleasby with the club's preparation, cooking and cleaning.

Mr Madelin said the group was incredibly valuable for men struggling with their mental health, but added it provided even more than that.

"It's not just about mental health, it's just about being," he explained.

"Brandon has quite an elderly demographic.

"A lot of people go there to retire or people's family have left or their widows, and they find themselves in a little town in the middle of nowhere without a lot of support.

"[The club] very often becomes the highlight of their month where this is the one time of the month they can go and enjoy a good meal without having to cook for themselves.

"It's really valuable for anybody who finds themselves in a situation of loneliness, even if they're not lonely, just to be there and have a bit of comradery and enjoy a good breakfast."

Contributed A group of men stand beside one another smiling at the camera. Chairs are pictured in front of them.Contributed
Guest speakers are encouraged to get in touch with Mr Cleasby for future breakfast clubs

Mr Cleasby said he was always on the hunt for male guest speakers and encouraged anyone interested to contact the church.

"At the end of the day it's a small thing that I can do, it's nothing massive and if everybody did their small thing the world would be a different place," he added.

"I would love to encourage other guys to start similar groups, I really would."

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