Mr Simister 13-years-ago set up the Men4Life Support Group and his decision to leave the organisation means the group now faces an uncertain future.

“It’s not an easy decision I have come to but over the six to 12-months I have been finding I have been feeling a bit burnt out after running the group for so long,” he said.

“So I have made the decision to step back from the group and retire - so to speak.

“I just come to a point in my life where I have to take a step back and spend more time with my family.”

If the group does not get another leader it will have to fold.

They need someone with welfare support experience to take over running the group which meets every Tuesday evening at the Nowra Youth Centre.

The group helps men dealing with mental health issues like depression and helps them when they are going through a separation or divorce.

The men get a chance to speak about their issues and they also have meal together.

Mr Simister said they have saved people’s lives.

“Blokes have come back to the group after two or three years to say they would not still be here (alive)  without the group,” he said.

“There is a definite need for the group and I do see as a shame I had to come to this decision in a way but I have decided to put my family first

“I really feel it would be valuable to the community if some stood up and said ‘I can do it’.

Men always find it hard to asks for help and a few after starting the group Mr Simister was having his doubts and only three or so men turned up

“As the word got out over the years we now get 12 to 15 blokes coming in every week,’ he said.

If anybody can take on the role they can email men4lifehelp@gmail.com or go to www.men4lifenowrasupportgroup.com or call Mr Simister on  0431 549 593.

Reconnecting men with their communities, families and other men was always one of the group’s main aims

The group’s thinking is the best way to tackle the various issue men are facing  is to start with helping them reconnect with each other, in a neutral setting where they can talk, share their stories, and hopefully learn from other men in the group.

The  Men4Life support group promotes itself as a safe place for people who need support and healing and who may be in personal crisis; to share and be heard when telling about experiences, feelings, and perceptions; in a non-judgemental atmosphere of mutual respect, confidentiality, and self responsibility.

The group’s mission statement ‘is to create a safe place, in times of personal and social challenge, for any male to receive and to give support to one another’.

Attendees share feelings and experiences which facilitate self-acceptance and personal growth.