MancSpirit is Greater Manchester's Mental Health Charity
We’re committed to improve the mental health of those people who choose Greater Manchester as a home, for a career, for leisure or for learning.
MancSpirit is unashamedly Mancunian in Design and Delivery. We see being Mancunian as an attitude, not a birth-right, and we value those people and organisations that share our Vision of caring for others, helping those that help others, getting stuck in and getting things done – but doing things the right way, by working with others and respecting their individuality.
We’d like to thank MancSpirit for recognising our Veterans as a Community and providing real value by giving us the opportunity to share our stories, develop new mental health projects and for their genuine support to develop the organisation.
The MancSpirit Heroes Amongst Us Exhibition
Congratulations to everyone involved in curating this exhibition. Utterly stunning and a tribute to all our heroes. Thank you. And thank you for using our stadium.
For two days we, with the help of our friends at Trafford Veterans CIC, created a free, accessible, inclusive cultural and historical oasis at the Altrincham FC Stadium and helped our Veterans see first hand how they are valued as individuals and as a community by the people of Trafford and beyond.
We had so much brilliant memorabilia on show, including an extremely rare DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross, along with the citation), log-books from a WWII pilot detailing his missions over Germany, uniforms, photographs, a diary from a WWI veteran and numerous books written by veterans. Including a massively thought-provoking book from a local veteran who was held in a Japanese prisoner of war camp for over 4 years. Writing the book was his way of exorcising some of his demons and to instil hope in others.
It was also great to see local-residents, and some from much further afield, (re)connecting to their own family history by chatting to Veterans about their service in locations all around the world, a real, living and breathing oral history from the people who have been there and done that. Visitors could then find out about their own family military history, with Trafford Veterans CIC offering to search the various military databases they have access to whilst they waited. Some really emotional moments as family members, Dads, Grandads, Nanas, Uncles and Aunties that had only been discussed at family gatherings became real. Where they served, where and when they were killed and where they are buried.
One of the most popular sections of the exhibition focused on the creative projects and passions of Veterans who attend Trafford Veterans CIC and their various clubs. Modelling, Art, Crafts, Woodworking, Creative Writing & Poetry. A brilliantly “Creative” way for the Veterans to develop friendships, organise peer group support networks and help them deal with their own mental health issues, such as anxiety and PTSD.
Having John Williams, Altrincham FC’s Chief Executive, take the time to visit the exhibition and express his thanks to everyone involved in organising it was a brilliant and much appreciated gesture. As was his suggestion that the door is always open to MancSpirit to organise more cultural and community events there in the future.
It was algo great to have a member of the community outreach team from Imperial War Museum North visit the exhibition as we look to get more people taking an interest and visiting cultural organisations and events across Greater Manchester.
MancSpirit Supporting the Mental Health of ICU Nurses & Staff at Wigan Critical Care During the Pandemic
The exhibition and event we held in Manchester Central Library and at Wigan Life Centre, supporting staff, patients that had recovered from being intubated and the loved ones of those who passed away during the pandemic was incredible and far surpassed the outcomes we envisioned to give Our amazing NHS heroes an opportunity to show the love, commitment and determination behind the masks when the pandemic first hit!
You should be very proud indeed of what you achieved last week – against all odds too. Thank you so much for the creativity, passion and committment from you, your team and all the brilliant #OurTrafford participants and performers.
In the world of podcasts, it’s often all about self-promotion. But not for MancSpirit. Their podcast, That Great Manc Pod, is all about profiling the work and impact of others, profiling the impact of other not-for-profits who are doing brilliant stuff across Greater Manchester. There are a few things we can learn from MancSpirit’s approach to podcasting. First, it’s important to focus on others, not yourself. Second, it’s important to be authentic and genuine, which MancSpirit are in spades!
Make a difference
If you live, love, work, learn or have fun in Greater Manchester then MancSpirit is your Charity – and we need your support to help it grow and be a force for change in our local communities. As a charity we need your donations, your support in setting up your own fundraising activities, your creative and inspirational skills and your shares, likes and positive comments on social media.
MancSpirit Supporting Women's Mental and Physical Health with the Award Winning "The Runner" Short Film
A young runner pushes herself to mental and physical exhaustion as she tries to deal with the effects of Amenorrhea, an often unexplored & misdiagnosed medical condition in women that can have devastating long term consequences.
“The Runner” Film is a MancSpirit Charity #OurWigan Festival Legacy Project. Supported by GMCA and ITV Studios North.
WATCH “The Runner” on YouTube
MancSpirit Supporting the Mental Health of Dads Who Have Lost a Child
On the 19th October 2022 Trevor Dwyer-Lynch’s world changed forever when his Jordan died in his sleep, aged 41.
The MancSpirit Charity are extremely proud to support Trevor by helping him to establish and continue the ongoing Production of “The Exclusive Club That Dads Don’t Wanna Belong To” Podcast.
Trevor (and MancSpirit Co-founder Paul) speak with Dad’s and ask them how they cope, if indeed they do, with the loss of their son or daughter.
Thank you so much MancSpirit for curating and organising #OurWigan Festival. We really appreciate all the time and hard work you put into making it such a successful event.
MancSpirit Supporting Creative Talent
Our Trafford. Keep The Dream Alive
"Casino" The Film. Spoken Word Opening Credits
MancSpirit Supporting the Mental Health of Trafford Young Carers during the Pandemic
It was a real honour to be able to inspire and support Trafford young carers, while they were stuck in at home shielding and looking after vulnerable family members.
The online sessions, delivered throughout the first year of the pandemic and several lockdowns, gave them access to fun, creativity, respite and the opportunity to connect with other young carers in their area. We provided a mix of art, crafts, music, comedy, improvisation and some really special guests from Children’s TV and pop music. The laughter and energy was intoxicating and the feedback from their families that they had transmitted that from the sessions and into their homes was heartwarming!
MancSpirit Giving a Voice To and Supporting The Mental Health of Students From Pendleton School of Theatre
Fantastic to spend time with and work alongside these amazing young people, giving them an opportunity to tell us, you, what their concerns are and to find a creative way to express them.
They decided collectively to highlight toxic behaviour in the creative industries, such as bullying and body image which can have a devastating effect on mental wellbeing. They also told us that their personal safety outside of college was a huge concern to them, especially for the young women, alongside the assumptions made about them as young people from different cultures across older ager groups.
Featured Project
The “Heroes Amongst Us” Podcast Sessions showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing people in our communities that have seen and done astonishing things, faced some terrible struggles, but who have ultimately found comradery, support and comfort as part of the Trafford Veterans family.
tHAT gREAT mANC pOD
That Great Manc Pod is Greater Manchester’s Community Podcast. We’ll introduce you to those incredible characters, inspirational heroes and fantastic groups that are at the heart of our Greater Manchester Communities.
Support MancSpirit
If you live, love, work, learn or have fun in Greater Manchester then MancSpirit is your Charity – and we need your support to help it grow and be a force for change in our local communities. As a charity we need your donations, your support in setting up your own fundraising activities, your creative and inspirational skills and your shares, likes and positive comments on social media.
Fundraising Efforts From Our Friends Across Greater Manchester
Make a difference
If you live, love, work, learn or have fun in Greater Manchester then MancSpirit is your Charity – and we need your support to help it grow and be a force for change in our local communities. As a charity we need your donations, your support in setting up your own fundraising activities, your creative and inspirational skills and your shares, likes and positive comments on social media.
Latest news
New Episode: That Great Manc Pod with Actor & Founder Reece Douglas
Brilliant to chat with Reece about his acting career, which started as a child actor on Waterloo Road (at the time one of the biggest shows on TV) and his business career as the Founder of Social Plug®. Reece talks openly and very honestly to us about the issues with...
New Episode: Season 7 of That Great Manc Pod Kicks-off with Author James Walton
Great to have James Walton back on That Great Manc Pod.. Writer, Filmmaker, Poet and..new Dad. James has just released his new novella, "Every Neet o' Week, published by Bent Key Publishing. It's written in the local Wigan dialect, something which James has become...
New Episode: Heroes Amongst Us Sessions, Lee Ward
This series showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing...
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