3 days ago
Mental health group Jolly Brew Crew founder given award
Jack Griffiths, who has worked for the NHS since 2018, was presented with the Going the Extra Mile award at the Aneurin Bevan Staff Recognition Awards in July.
Griffiths founded the Jolly Brew Crew in January, and since then has held monthly meetings of the group at the Newbridge Memo.
Jack with his award from the health board (Image: Jack Griffiths) The monthly sessions see guest speakers – which have included The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins and doctor and author Matt Morgan – invited to run talks and workshops, all of which are intended to encourage men to open up about their mental health and share their experiences.
The award was presented to Mr Griffiths at a ceremony in July, which was held to celebrate the achievements and dedication of staff from across the health board.
Jack with The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins (Image: Jack Griffiths)
Griffiths said: 'It was a lovely surprise to be nominated for the award, and then to win it in front of all my colleagues was fantastic.
'The main reason I was chuffed with the award was because it has opened more conservations around men's mental health and improved awareness of the Jolly Brew Crew, and I hope more people now attend these sessions.
'Having won the award also confirms what I have learned since January: everyone knows more needs to be done for men's mental health and everyone wants to help.'
With years of experience in health settings and a contact book in hand, Griffiths decided to set up the group at the start of the year after hearing the news of a young local man who took his own life in December 2024.
'I decided more needed to be done to support men's health,' Griffiths said, adding: 'In a world rife with misinformation and toxic masculinity, monthly sessions where local men can come for a free brew, learn something new, and help each other will hopefully help prevent this from happening again.'
60 men attended the first session in February and since then, the group has grown in size as awareness of the sessions spread. 'It was immediately apparent how appreciated the group was, with so many positive messages flooding in", Griffiths said.
Speaking about the importance of the group, Griffiths also said: 'Speaking about mental health is so important to many people. Bottling up your thoughts and feelings very rarely improves our lives.
'By sharing and talking to others, it allows us to see the world differently rather than being stuck in the same negative vicious cycle day in, day out. It's a tough thing to do, but the Jolly Brew Crew has been a vital stepping stone for many people to seek support.
'Many men just come and listen to the guest speakers talk about their clinical work, evidence-based strategies, and psychoeducation, and to listen to those who feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. We don't force people to speak, but simply attending and sipping on a brew is a brave step in the right direction.'
The group's next session will be held on Sunday, August 17, with a talk from Dr Daniel Webb on the topic of suicide. A professional from the NHS, Dr Webb will provide information and advice in the 'hope the right information reaches as many people as possible and makes a real tangible difference.'
For more information about the Jolly Brew Crew, you can follow the group on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Monthly sessions are held at the Newbridge Memo, with upcoming dates confirmed on social media.
