Ampthill welcomes Cllr Stephen Addy as new mayor and announces support for vital local groups, including ‘For Men To Talk – Ampthill’

At the Ampthill Town Council Annual Meeting on 28 May 2025, Cllr Stephen Addy was elected as the new Mayor of Ampthill. He will serve from 2025 to 2026. His fellow Councillors chose him to take on this important role. Cllr Gary Summerfield was also elected and will serve as Deputy Mayor during the same period.

As Mayor, Cllr Addy has chosen to support two local groups during his time in office: Ampthill vs. Cancer and ‘For Men To Talk – Ampthill’. These two groups do important work in the community, offering support to those affected by cancer and mental health issues.

One of these groups, ‘For Men To Talk’, was founded by Luke Newman. It was created to give men a safe place to speak openly about their feelings and mental health. The group welcomes men dealing with anxiety, depression, and grief. Meetings offer a non-judgmental space where men can talk to others who understand what they’re going through.

Luke Newman explained how the group started and why it matters so much to him. He said, “The idea to start ‘For Men To Talk’ stemmed from my own experiences of grief after tragically losing my mother and sister to cancer, so I truly support Ampthill vs. Cancer. I’d like to thank Cllr Stephen Addy for supporting ‘For Men To Talk’ – Ampthill’ during his time as Mayor.”

‘For Men To Talk – Ampthill’ runs regular meetings in Ampthill at the Wingfield Social Club, with both afternoon and evening sessions each month. They also hold virtual meetings online, fishing trips, and walking sessions, giving men different ways to connect and open up.

The group operates in several nearby towns, including Biggleswade, Potton, Shefford, Flitwick, and Sandy in Bedfordshire, St Neots and Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire, and Hitchin in Hertfordshire. They also have national meetings in places like Aldershot in Hampshire and Stockport in Cheshire.

‘For Men To Talk’ is a Community Interest Company (CIC). This means it is a type of organisation that exists to benefit the public, rather than make a profit. The group’s main goal is to help men talk more openly about their mental health and to reduce the stigma that often surrounds it.

By supporting both Ampthill vs. Cancer and ‘For Men To Talk – Ampthill’, Mayor Stephen Addy is helping to highlight important causes that affect many people in the community.

To learn more about ‘For Men To Talk’, you can visit their website at www.formentotalk.co.uk, call 07709 446480, or email Luke Newman directly at luke@formentotalk.co.uk.