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Manbassadors: Bolton men’s mental health project set for relaunch after securing new funding
Our Community Engagement Team's project that has helped hundreds of men in Bolton to improve their mental health is set to relaunch after securing thousands of pounds in new funding.
(Pictured: Adam Warbrick, our Community Development Officer and Manbassadors Project Lead).
The Bolton Manbassadors project was originally launched in 2021 to help raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and tackle high rates of male suicide.
It aims to develop a network of social and community activities across Bolton that provide spaces for men to talk about their emotional wellbeing and access the support they need.
It also recruits local businesses - from barbers and coffee shops to community groups and charitable organisations - to act as men’s health advocates and signpost them to appropriate mental health services.
Following a brief hiatus, Bolton Manbassadors will relaunch on Tuesday 1 October after securing £586k from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK (learn more at: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, link opens in a new tab).
We plan to extend the project for an additional three years and work with local housing providers and councils in Greater Manchester to expand into Salford, Stockport and Wigan in 2025.
Adam Warbrick, our Community Development Officer, said: “Many of us will know someone who suffers with their mental health, it could be your dad, son, brother, a friend or even yourself.
“That is why we started Bolton Manbassadors, and when we launched during lockdown we were blown away by the response from within the community. I’m excited to bring it back bigger and better than before.
“The additional funding will allow us to continue providing men in Bolton with a safe environment to talk and offering support on a wider scale, whether that’s a kick around in the park or help accessing local services.”
Bolton Manbassadors has supported over 600 men, recruited 84 local businesses and raised £24,000 to support community activities, which include football matches, camp jam sessions and coffee clubs.
Gemma Parlby, our Group Director of Customer and Communities, added: “The Manbassador project is a vital support system within our community. We’re thrilled to be in a position where we can expand the project and offer a simple intervention of informal, bite-sized support on a local level to tackle high rates of male suicide and wellbeing issues.”
The project won Campaign of the Year at the UK Housing Awards in 2022 and is a finalist in the Heart of the Community category at the 2024 Bolton News Business Awards.
Melissa Eaglesfield, Deputy Director for UK Portfolio at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are pleased to award this vital funding, helping to raise awareness of men’s mental health and amplifying Bolton at Home’s positive work to increase connections in communities – one of our key missions as part of our 2030 strategy.
“Now, thanks to National Lottery players and The UK Fund, communities across Bolton will have the opportunity to connect with others and create transformational change. We’re looking forward to seeing the difference this project will make in strengthening society and improving lives.”
As part of the relaunch, we're looking to recruit a full-time and part-time project officer, who will facilitate the delivery of the project and provide direct support to men in the area. To find out more, please visit our jobs page: www.boltonathome.org.uk/jobs.
If you'd like to stay up to date with the Manbassadors project, visit the Bolton Manbassadors Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BoltonManbassadors (link opens in a new tab). You can also tap here to visit our Manbassadors webpage: www.boltonathome.org.uk/manbassadors.
