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
A popular Manc streetwear brand is hosting a big festival to mark their fifth birthday
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester streetwear and footwear brand, CLINTS Inc., is hosting its first-ever festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s going to be big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship CLINTS store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Not to tease you more than the company already has, but as you can see, details are scarce.
There is no lineup or even location for this festival… only a date.
CLINTS Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September – presumably at or around the 21-23 Quay Street site, but who knows?
Fans of the brand can sign up for the mailing list for the latest details, and pre-sale tickets are also available now, with a couple of clicks on the website revealing that the event is set to start at 12 noon and wrap up around 10:30pm.
If you’re interested, you can register your interest HERE.
Credit: The Manc Group
While you can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things CLINTS and streetwear, they’re not the only local indie holding a special one-off this month.
In fact, this weekend, a fellow trainer specialist who is still just starting out life in the fashion game but is already making waves reminiscent of their contemporaries.
Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of the journey and they’re the next Manc brand to become a national success story.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/CLINTS Inc (via Instagram)
Manchester
This Manchester bar serves a bottomless cheese fondue with endless beer and wine
Georgina Pellant
There’s a bar in Manchester serving a bottomless cheese fondue with endless wine and beer, and it honestly sounds like the perfect treat.
While it might scream cosy winter night in, with a huge outdoor terrace, The Mews is also a firm favourite during the summer months.
Add in a board of melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie, springy pieces of garlic sourdough and a host of crunchy cheese biscuits, and you’ve got yourself the ideal afternoon if you ask us.
But there’s more. Alongside all that cheese and meat and bread, included in the price of The Mews’ bottomless fondue, cheese lovers can also enjoy 90 minutes of non-stop drinks.
Bottomless cheese fondue at The Mews on Deansgate in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Costing £37.50 each, included in the deal is a huge pot of melted Italian Fontina cheese served with homemade garlic croutons, sourdough crackers, and slices of British charcuterie.
You’ll also get to enjoy an hour and a half of endless pints of house pilsner and carafes of red or white wine to enjoy alongside.
Serving up to six people, the bottomless cheese fondue is available only when you pre-book, so make sure to get in touch ahead of your visit to let The Mews know that you’re coming.
If you’re not on the sauce, you can opt for the cheese fondue alone. Without the booze, it’s quite a bit cheaper at £25 for one, and £2.50 on top for any additional people who want to get stuck in.
Housed up on Deansgate Mews, just behind the main hustle and bustle of Deansgate, there’s plenty of space inside as well as a large, secluded terrace that is quite the suntrap (when the Manchester sun is shining).
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2022 
