Canal and River Cruise

After meeting at Deansgate / Castlefield tram stop, we took the tram to Media City in Salford Quays – home to the BBC and ITV television studios as well as The Lowry Theatre.

Media City has a burgeoning social scene, and we lunched at The Harvester, which turned out to be brilliant value.

There were 29 of us this week, and the weather was perfect for the next stage of our day out – a one hour canal and river cruise. We boarded at Salford Quays and travelled along the Ship Canal and River Irwell, some people inside, and some on the open top deck.

We discovered the industrial heartland around Salford and Manchester seeing sights from the modern Media City to the imposing Old Trafford football stadium and George Stephenson’s railway bridge from 1830.

On the commentary we heard the history of the Manchester Ship Canal, about the industries that made the city one of the powerhouses of Europe and also about the exciting future that’s currently being built.

Lots of photos can be seen here.

Loneliness is killing men – and without proper support and intervention nothing will change

In his book Of Boys and Men Richard Reeves outlines various factors leading to boys and men feeling excluded from society and failed by various systems, whether it be education or the workforce. One section states how men struggle after divorce or relationships ending, especially if they do not find a new partner.

Many men are socialised to prioritise strength, independence and stoicism, making it difficult for them to open up and form emotional connections. Many ageing men experience loneliness due to the loss of a partner and friendships.

Mental health services are trying to engage lonely men with various strategies. We know that most men do not phone helplines when they are in crisis, many struggle with individual therapy and men’s-only group therapy is not readily available. There are discussions on policies to have interventions aimed at boys in schools. Holistic practices such as exercise (gym, running or sports), a healthy diet and good sleep hygiene also help, but it is not enough.

Research shows that older LGBT people are especially vulnerable to loneliness as they are more likely to be single, live alone, and have lower levels of contact with relatives.

They are also less likely to engage with local services, with recent findings showing that over four fifths of older LGBT people do not trust professionals to understand their culture or lifestyle.

The creation of a safe space can provide opportunities for older LGBT people to build confidence and engage with activities that enable them to meet with likeminded people.

Why are Gay men over 50 so lonely?

In this video, two gay men (Tom and Michael) have an open and honest discussion about the loneliness epidemic; why and how it’s affecting our aging gay community. This is an important conversation for us to have because at some point, we have or will experience loneliness.
 
They share ways you can cope and overcome loneliness, as well as how you can help others who might be suffering.

Are You A Lesbian?

She was in her bedroom, not properly dressed, just sprawling and thinking her own private thoughts when her mother came in – she didn’t knock, she just came in.

You could see she had a determined look, as if resolved to do something and was set on doing it. No preamble – out came the question – “Are you a Lesbian?”

This was a continuation of an earlier conversation. They had talked about boys and the mother mentioned boys who had shown an interest. The girl hooted with laughter at her mother’s cringy suggestions. She choked with snorting derision.

So the mother had been pondering a certain thread of thought. Hence the question – which was asked with that concerned, pained, but creepy expression that mothers use.

The girl was shocked – real jaw-sagging incredulity – a mixture of astonishment and annoyance – she looked so alarmed that the mother backed off immediately, mumbling apologies – but at the same time pleased.

Alone again, the girl stared at the ceiling and then grabbed her mobile to text her girlfriend.

Thanks to David Astbury for this short story

Manchester Day

Manchester Day will return on 27 July with even more fun-filled free activities for all the family.

Between 12.00 noon and 6.00pm on Saturday 27 July, the city centre will turn into Manchester’s biggest-ever playground this summer when Manchester Day: Let the Games Begin! rolls into town.

Inspired by an international summer of sport, join them for a day of free family-friendly fun. They’re taking pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics and have-a-go activities to the streets.

Here’s what to expect for 2024:

– Take part in a Hip Hop wrestling ring for breakdancing, wrestling, a spot of opera and a dash of drag.

– Hook a duck and challenge your mates to a round of darts at the vintage fairground.

– Immerse yourself in larger-than-life console games in Manchester Day’s actual reality arcade.

– Enjoy the freshest beats from DJs across the city. And take a whistle stop tour around the world with the Global Grooves procession.

– Award winning dance company Motionhouse will be perfoming their hit show ‘Wild’. Watch them fly through the city on a forest of poles in a daring production.

– No Fit State Circus will be defying the laws of gravity. Watch them bend, flex and build a towering series of bamboo sculptures. It’s a stunning feat of human strength, trust and harmony with nature.

– Mimbre acrobatic theatre will perform ‘Look Mum, No Hands!’. It’s a family-friendly, inclusive tale of friendship, growing up and what it means to explore each other’s boundaries.

– Enjoy music and performance from some of Manchester’s finest groups including:

* The Bridgewater Hall Choir
* A Filipino fashion show
* Irish, Bhangra and Lithuanian Dancers

– Be transported to Copacabana beach by the sounds of Jubacana. They combine percussion, guitars and a whole lot of sequins to create a big sound and an even bigger show.

There will also be sporting events taking place across the day including:

– Taekwondo classes.

– Get your blood pumping at the 60m, pop up athletic track supplied by GLL.

– A tennis mini rally and a basketball shoot out.

And you could even get a medal! 

Visit Manchester Day: Let the Games Begin! for more information.