AO and Sale Sharks have joined forces to launch a new mental health initiative that’ll be rolled-out in schools across the North West.
The ‘Are you AO-K’ initiative is a life-changing mental health programme that has been launched by Bolton-based online electricals retailer and Sale Sharks’ new headline sponsor, AO, alongside the charitable partner of the Sale Sharks rugby team, Sharks Community Trust – who use rugby and the values of the sport to change lives across the region.
It was first introduced at St Matthew’s Little Lever PrimarySchool in Bolton yesterday, with help from Sale Sharks and England star, Jason Robinson.
After recognising how difficult the past 18 months have been for young people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AO, Sale Sharks, and the Community Trust Team teamed up to create a dedicated curriculum for local schools.
‘Are you AO-K’ is designed to raise awareness among children about positive mental health and wellbeing.
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The courses – which are being taught in schools across the North West – will last for six weeks at a time, and the programme will run in 125 schools throughout the region over the next five years, meaning that hundreds of children will get the chance to benefit from this ground-breaking scheme.
A core part of the curriculum is teaching the link between physical and mental health.
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Children will learn what a balanced diet is, and how this helps nourish both the body and the mind, and after all stages of the programme, they will be encouraged to discuss what they enjoyed about the task to help them recognise that exercise is a great way of boosting happy hormones.
As some children may not be completely comfortable with communicating their emotions verbally, they will also be taught more practical methods to manage negative feelings too.
Throughout the lessons, there will also be signposting for services such as NHS, Childline, MIND, Healthy Young Minds and Hub of Hope, and at the end of each course, wellbeing packs will be given to every child that takes part.
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We’re excited today to launch the 'Are you AO-K?' programme. Created in collaboration with Sale Sharks rugby team, the aim is to teach children how to look after their mental health and wellbeing.
“Supporting mental health and wellbeing is a really important and exciting part of our partnership with Sale Sharks,” said Vicky Monk – Director of Customer & Brand at AO.
“The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging for everyone, especially children, having faced huge disruption to their daily lives, so it’s vital that we come together to make sure young people know they can speak up about their mental health [and] at AO, we’re passionate about helping young people realise their potential.
“We hope that Are You AO-K creates a lasting, positive impact on the children involved.”
Featured Image – AO
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Manchester crowned UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Prague, Amsterdam, Benidorm, and now… Manchester?
Jetting off to some of Europe’s cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays.
But some new research has now revealed the UK cities that deliver a legendary last hurrah without the price tag, or the need to hop on a plane.
Chillisauce, the UK’s leading hen and stag organiser, has analysed 81,000+ recent group bookings alongside survey feedback from 4,738 stag groups, cross-referenced against live 2026 travel fares, accommodation, and pint prices.
To devise its top 10 list, real price data has been blended with verified group satisfaction to guarantee stags and their pals the best experience.
With the pull of a major city with music, sport, food, and nightlife without London prices, Manchester was crowned the best-value city for a stag do in 2026 overall.
Manchester has been crowned the UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council | shawnanggg (via Unsplash)
The average pint runs a little higher in Manchester than the smaller cities on the list, but groups rated the sheer scale and quality of the night out well above the cost, calling it ‘much more affordable than the South of England’ and ‘cheaper than London’.
For a weekend in Manchester, research found that the average cost per person includes £86.36 for accommodation, £36.66 for an activity, £25.08 for a drinks package, £29.35 for a meal, and the average pint coming in at £6.
“We send thousands of groups to Prague, Amsterdam, and Benidorm every year,” said Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce,”but Manchester keeps delivering nights out that groups tell us beat their expectations.
“There are also those only-in-Manchester touches too, like catching a match at Old Trafford or the Etihad on the same trip.
“Groups describe the locals as up for a laugh and the whole city as ‘built for a stag weekend,’ with a huge number of them already planning to go back, which is the real test of a great destination.”
Other northern destinations on the top 10 list include Newcastle, Leeds, and Liverpool.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th October 2021 
