“We always say it’s ok to ask for help. It’s time we took our own advice.”
Staff at Feel Good Club are usually the ones offering support – not seeking it.
But after what has been described as ”a terrible week”, Manchester’s wellbeing cafe has heeded its own guidance.
Representatives took to social media on Monday to ask their followers for a favour…
@wearefeelgoodclub
Since setting up shop in Northern Quarter in October, Feel Good Club has functioned as a marvellous cafe, community and co-working space all rolled into one – committed to abolishing the stigma surrounding mental health whilst providing a safe place for people to talk, listen and enjoy a cracking cuppa whilst they’re at it.
Feel Good Club is ‘ineligible’ for any furlough support or government grants. And now the cafe is running on empty.
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“Last week we were told that we were ineligible for any government support during the second lockdown,” Feel Good Club posted.
“We’re doing our best to stay positive but we realised that we need to take our own advice and ask for some help so we can try and get as many eyes on this to get the support we feel we are entitled too [sic].”
@wearefeelgoodclub
The post continues: “We’ve sent endless emails over the last couple of days and it just feels like there are so many closed doors around us right now so we’re asking you all to share this as far and as wide as you can on all platforms and tag anyone you think can help.
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“All of your messages over the past couple of weeks have shown us how much of an impact our space and team have had already and this only makes us more passionate about getting the support we deserve.”
The cafe is temporarily closing so owners can get their ducks in a row, assess the situation and see if they can find some more solutions.
But in the meantime – they need our help.
134,000 followers rely on the Feel Good Club to help them when they’re at their lowest. Now’s the moment to return the favour.
By spreading the message wide on social media, contacting local MPs, and sharing their story with anyone you think may be able to help, you’ll be doing your bit.
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Feel Good Club cafe was one of the greatest things to come out of 2020. Let’s not lose it before it’s even found its footing.
Learn more about how you can help support Feel Good Club here.
@wearefeelgoodclub
News
Police appeal after man is found with unexplained ‘serious injuries’ in Manchester’s Chinatown
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing for information after a man is found with unexplained ‘serious injuries’ in Manchester’s Chinatown.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 4:50am this past Saturday (26 September), officers were called to Nicholas Street near the Pagoda in Manchester’s Chinatown, where a man was found seriously injured.
The man was quickly rushed to hospital, where he remains receiving treatment while police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding how he came to sustain his injuries.
At this stage, GMP believes there is ‘no wider risk to the community’, however detectives are ‘keeping an open mind’ as enquiries continue.
No arrests have been made at this time, and the man’s identity has not been publicly released.
While enquiries continue at pace, GMP has issued a public appeal for witnesses in a bid to uncover information on the incident.
Detectives say they are are appealing for anyone who was in the area around the Pagoda in Chinatown between 3am and 5am on Saturday 26 September.
Anyone who may have witnessed anything that could assist the investigation is urged to come forward.
Can you help? Anyone with information, or relevant CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage, is asked to contact police on 101 or via LiveChat, quoting log 578 of 26/09/2026.
Featured Image – GMP
News
‘Enough is enough’ – Andy Burnham issues emphatic statement on Avanti West Coast nationalisation
Emily Sergeant
Avanti West Coast is set to be nationalised from next spring, the Government has confirmed.
After it was revealed back in 2024 to be the UK’s most ‘unreliable’ train operator, according to a shocking study, with 15.36% of its trains cancelled or delayed on average, it has now been confirmed that Avanti – which runs the West Coast Main Line from Manchester to London – will be transferred over to public ownership in March 2027.
Before this, the company had previously been given until 1 April 2023 to continue running the route, but was told it needed to ‘drastically improve’ its services if it was to stand any chance of having the contract extended further beyond that date.
Despite many customers continuing to voice discontent with level of services during this time, the Department for Transport (DfT) under the previous Conservative government deemed ‘significant improvements had been made’.
Avanti West Coast is set to be nationalised from next spring / Credit: Avanti (Press Images)
Now though, in the year 2026 with a Labour government in power at Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the helm, it has been confirmed that Avanti West Coast will be nationalised.
The Government says the services will be ‘run in the interests of passengers, not private sector shareholders’.
“From 7 March, taxpayers will no longer be paying fees to a private operator. Instead, every penny will be spent for the benefit of passengers,” the Labour Party said in a statement.
Andy Burnham has also issued his own emphatic statement on the matter.
Enough is enough.
For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti’s cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again.
So my Labour government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in…
He wrote on X: “Enough is enough. For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti’s cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again.
“So my Labour government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in March next year. That means passengers, not shareholders, will come first.
“More investment, fewer delays, and a renewed focus on getting the basics right.
“We’re putting essential services back in public hands and building a railway that actually works for the people who use it.”
Andy Mellors, who is the Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, added in his own statement: “Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with the Government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities.”
The Manc -
16th November 2020 
