Local volunteers are promoting “how powerful listening can be” by urging Mancs to stop for “a cuppa and a catch-up” this Blue Monday.
In a bid to power through the cold winter months and to provide support on what is always said to be one of the ‘most depressing days of the year’, Samaritans is encouraging the Greater Manchester community to reach out to someone they care about for “a cuppa and a catch-up” as part of the annual ‘Brew Monday’ campaign.
While the third Monday in January is widely-known to have its challenges, the charity is keen to highlight that there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’, as people can feel a range of emotions any day of the year.
Samaritans volunteers say they hear similar concerns all year round from those who contact the charity, with an average of 10,000 calls coming in each day.
From December 2020 – November 2021, Samaritans said that 46% of contacts that reached out for emotional support mentioned mental health and illness, 34% mentioned family, and 28% mentioned loneliness as a concern.
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So, to ensure nobody struggles alone, on Brew Monday or any other day, Samaritans is reminding everyone to check in on friends, family, colleagues on 17 January.
Samaritans’ annual ‘Brew Monday’ campaign is keen to promote how powerful listening can be / Credit: Samaritans UK
Don’t worry if you’re not a big tea or coffee drinker, or you’re reading this after 2022’s Blue Monday has been and gone, as Samaritans stresses that the campaign is not really about that – it’s more about connecting and really listening to each other.
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“We know how powerful listening can be,” said Lynn Sbaih – Branch Director at Stockport Samaritans.
“As we enter another winter in these difficult times, we are encouraging people to look out for their family, friends and work colleagues and be that listening ear that they might just need.
📢 Pop the kettle on, crack open the biscuits, and reach for your favourite mug because there's only ONE WEEK until #BrewMonday 📢
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Monday morning or Thursday night, or if you’re drinking lemonade, black coffee or apple juice, if you’re sharing a cup of something and listening, you’re making a difference to someone’s day.”
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Stockport Samaritans will be at Stockport railway station from 7am to 9am on 17th January – known as 2022’s Blue Monday – where they will be handing out teabags, talking to passengers about the importance of reaching out, and providing listening tips, while Bury Samaritans will be spreading the Brew Monday warmth with tea bag deliveries at local food banks.
Support is also available at Manchester & Salford Samaritans, Bolton Samaritans, and Rochdale Samaritans, both this Blue Monday and all year round.
Stockport Samaritans will be at Stockport railway station from 7am this Blue Monday / Credit: Twitter (@stockportsams)
“Listening helps us build relationships, be there for others, and it can save lives,” Lynn added.
“Through our event, we hope that we can help more people to support others who may need a listening ear.”
You can join the conversation using #BrewMonday, and find more information here.
Featured Image – Unsplash
Manchester
Viral chicken shop Wingstop is opening inside the Manchester Arndale
Daisy Jackson
Wingstop, the chicken shop famed for its vast range of wing flavours and sauces, is opening another spot in Manchester city centre.
The brand will be taking over the old Yo Sushi site in the Manchester Arndale, which shut down just last month.
It’ll mean there’ll be two Wingstop locations within a few minutes’ walk of each other, with another takeaway already well-established on Piccadilly Gardens.
Wingstop UKI has found viral fame with people taste-testing its wide range of hand-sauced chicken wing flavours, ranging from garlic parmesan all the way up to the eye-watering ‘Atomic’.
As well as chicken wings, it serves delicious tenders and burgers, all cooked to order.
There are also a range of sides, including loaded fries, sweet potato fries, and cajun fried corn, plus dips like ranch, honey mustard, and blue cheese.
Wingstop is also famed for its thick milkshakes – which are a necessity if you order your chicken down the spicier end of the scale.
Established in Texas in 1994, Wingstop rose rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US.
The brand launched in the UK market in 2018, and into Ireland last year, and now operates more than 85 locations.
Wingstop is opening in Manchester Arndale
Wingstop will be moving into the 5,928 sq ft unit upstairs in Manchester Arndale, just opposite Next.
Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wingstop to our vibrant F&B offer; an addition we’re sure will resonate with our younger visitors.
“With the additions of popular restaurant chains like Wingstop, coupled with the arrival of new retailers such as Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Pro:Direct and Sephora, we are strategically creating a destination where people across the North West and beyond want to spend their time.”
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “Wingstop will join Manchester Arndale’s varied F&B mix, including Popeyes, Sides, Hotel Chocolat, Joe & The Juice and Café Nero.
“In-demand operators like this help create energy and momentum that allows the brands across the scheme to thrive, driving increased footfall, longer dwell times and a more compelling offer for visitors.”
Manchester’s new music festival is a cross-generational day-into-night electronic party
Danny Jones
Yes, you heard us, Greater Manchester’s newest music festival, Outwards, is set to be an all-day, all-night celebration of all things electronic, charting the past, present and future of the scene.
The inaugural Outwards Fest isn’t just an event looking to score as many big names as possible; they’re looking to span as many generations of ravers, dance music die-hards, and selectors alike.
After all, our city is so steeped in this culture that it’s hard to escape, no matter what age you are.
Releasing their first couple of teaser trailers earlier this month, sign-up for early access is live now, and while the focus is more grassroots and upwards, there are some very familiar faces attached.
The new live event has been created by Oliver Ryder, stepson of Manc music icon Shaun Ryder.
Yes, as in the Happy Mondays lead singer, who also happens to front for Black Grape, a.k.a. just one of the acts set to play as part of the festival.
Set to be based at The Progress Centre over in Ardwick and spread across five outdoor stages, 2026 will see Outwards Fest finally make its debut within the large open-air space after lots of planning.
As mentioned, Ryder and his Grape cohort are one of the higher-profile names on the bill, but there are plenty of other eye-catching names – be they old, current, or up-and-coming – and you can expect plenty to roll through for a couple of them alone.
Besides fellow veterans and major headliners, Orbital, bringing their beloved brand of electronica, ambient-house, techno, trance and more to the table, another one we’re looking to is the legendary A Certain Ratio. Plus, there’s still a special guest yet to be revealed…
You can see the full lineup for the first-ever Outwards Festival down below.
Look at this lineup!! We are made up to be part of this major Manchester happening event. Tickets on sale // Thursday 26th February at 6pmhttps://t.co/gOPPaOUG9X Outwards Festival pic.twitter.com/91v4aIQFMz
Speaking on this new addition for Manchester’s cultural scene, Outwards’ festival director Olli said in a press release: “Electronic music has always been about more than nightlife. It’s about the music, the communities, the places and the people who carry culture forward.
“Outwards is an attempt to create a space where the past, present and future of that [EDM] culture can exist together, here in Manchester, where so much of this story began – and where there is still so much to be written.
“We hope it becomes a moment of reflection, inspiration and connection that celebrates the full breadth of electronic music: open, inclusive and shaped by many voices, while opening the door to what is still to come.” Hear, hear.
You can join the mailing list to secure priority tickets when they go up HERE, with general admission set to be available from 10am on Thursday, 26 February.
Speaking of community-led festivals, another already established cult favourite that just keeps getting better and keeps supporting the local music industry from the ground up, returns for another exciting edition this summer.
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2022 
