Get back to
a better place
Support Available
Need to offload?
Getting things off our chest calms the mind and helps us come up with solutions to problems we are facing.
We know men don’t like worrying their family and friends so there is a variety of support available for you to offload in confidence.
Local Peer Support Groups
This is a list of local peer support groups run for men living in Widnes and Runcorn. Most, but not all, groups are run by and for men only so if you have any questions about attending or the activities being offered, please contact the group directly.
Calm your mind does not endorse any particular support service or group. We simply aim to raise awareness of help that is available locally and nationally to support men with challenges they are facing. We recommend to contact local organisations directly to see if they are a good fit for you and your needs.
Offload Extra, Extra Time – Widnes Vikings
These sessions will help you improve or learn more about your mental fitness. Taking place every Tuesday at 6.30pm at the Stobart Stadium, they involve various speakers talking about their struggles with ill mental health including suicidal feelings and how they overcame these. Tea and coffee is provided. There is no pressure for anyone to share. Supportive group offering peer support, hints and tips and education around coping.
Contact Sean Mellor at Widnes Vikings on 07510855781 or seanm@widnesvikings.co.uk
Man Talk Monday
Informal peer support social group for men over 50. Confidential discussions encouraged in a safe open space. Many attendees have experienced bereavement and other issues that have negatively affected their lives. Tea and coffee provided. Occasional speakers on topics such as loneliness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and information and signposting. This group is run by the men who decide what is talked about. Telephone: Ela 0300 003 1992 or email enquiries@aukmm.org.uk
Thrive – Promoting Men’s Mental Health, Fitness and Social Support
This group is passionate about putting together a community of local men who want to look after each other. They run a walk and talk group on the first Sunday of every month that is suitable for any man looking to get out and about. All walks are in green spaces mainly in North Wales. For more details follow the group on Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook – Thrive Mental Health and Wellness Facebook Page
Instagram – Thrive on Instagram
It’s good2talk men’s meet up
Takes place every Thursday between 7-9pm @ the Barn (The building next to the Bears Paw in Frodsham).
A place to talk, or listen. No judgement, no tittle tattle. A safe space. A kind corner.
The group offers the opportunity to have conversation with real people in real life.
Some topics covered and talked about include Mental Health/Relationships/Parenting/Physical
Contact Nathan on 07536398821
Email – itsgd2tk@gmail.com
CGL Men’s group drop in
Thursdays 11am – 12noon. This groups is only available to men who are supported by CGL. However if you feel you would like more information with substance misuse contact CGL for advice and peer support to help you back to the path of recovery.
For more information or if you need help and advice visit:
Men’s Cancer Support Group
Run by the Widnes and Runcorn Cancer Support Group, this group meets on Wednesdays 1.30-2.30 and is open to any gentlemen who are registered with their services who have been affected by cancer. A space where adults of all ages can book a place, chat, support one another, enjoy a cup of tea and relax amongst others affected by cancer.
Visit their website for more details:
Our Services | Widnes & Runcorn Cancer Support Centre (widnesandruncorncancersupport.org.uk)
The Silverbacks Running Club
Do not let that put you off! These guys are not just about clocking miles. They welcome men of all abilities to join them providing a community of connection, friendship and a support system hell bent on promoting men’s mental health and wellbeing.
For more information go to The Silverbacks (thesilverbacksrunningclub.co.uk)
The Veterans Cycle Project:
British Legion – The Bike Project.
You do not need to be a veteran to be part of this scheme. Essentially bikes are donated and you will be taught to refurbish and restore the bike to its former glory. A peer support group for people suffering with mental health issues such as PTSD.
Please note that this is not a men’s only group.
Contact Leave no one behind | Halton Veterans Legion C.I.C. | England (haltonvl.com) to find out more
Support by Text
Support is available by text if you are feeling anxious, worried or overwhelmed and want to offload.
Text REACH to 85258 for free confidential text support 24/7 provided by SHOUT
Online support
Prefer to speak to someone on-line?
Face to Face Support
Want to speak to someone in person? Counselling support is available locally from
Halton Mind Counselling Service
Nightstop Community Northwest CIC Counselling Support Service
What’s worrying you?
Sometimes the stress or anxiety we feel are being caused by something happening in your life – money worries, your job, a bereavement. Getting support for these life challenges might help get you back to a better place.
We’ve listed some national and local helplines here. For more helplines and support visit our Mental Health Information Point.
Relationship issues
Unfortunately, relationships don’t always last forever and this can really mess you up emotionally. When a relationship breaks down it can be tough for everyone involved and extremely complicated that you can start to feel like it’s the end of the world. Its important to take time for yourself to process all that is going on. Trying to maintain a good diet and exercise will really help. Meeting up with that mate for a bit of a laugh or a kick around in the park can also help you cope as taking a break from the serious stuff will help make you stronger. Take a look at What can you do? | Calm your mind to help keep yourself well through this process.
Campaign against living miserably has a lot of information on divorce and custody related questions that you may find useful click the link below
https://www.thecalmzone.net/guides/relationship-breakdown
Other sources of help and advice
Relate
The u.k’s leading relationship support organization. For practical online support visit https://www.relate.org.uk/ or call 03001001234
Dads unlimited
Dads Unlimited is an award winning charity that supports the wellbeing of dads through family separation. For more information visit:
Money Worries
Not feeling yourself can make managing money more difficult and worrying about money can impact your ability to think clearly and change the situation you are in.
It can become a bit of a vicious cycle which can leave you feeling hopeless and ashamed. Men and women tend to cope with money worries differently. It can help to learn how money worries impact how you think, feel and act so you can choose coping strategies that help you find a solution to your problems as well as calming your mind.
Cost of living crisis and your mental health
Mental Health and Money Advice toolkit is a resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health
Helplines and online support
For details of free online and telephone support available visit Money Helper: debt advice locator
Local support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
Not sure what help you need? Halton’s Worried about Money leaflet provides info on support available for a wide range of money worries
Citizens Advice Halton provide support with debt, problems with Housing and rent. Support is available Monday to Friday Citizens Advice Halton
Halton Borough Councils Welfare Rights Service provides advice, information and representation on all aspects of Welfare Benefits and debt problems to residents of Halton. Welfare Rights Service
Bereavement
If someone important to you has died it is normal to grieve and be impacted by this. Although everyone grieves differently men can react very differently to women when someone dies, which is totally normal. It can help to learn more about how you might behave and feel as well as things that might help you through.
Men and Grief – Cruse Bereavement.
Men living with loss booklet- Cruse Bereavement
Men and grief- understanding and supporting grieving men- Sue Ryder
Helplines and online support
For details of support available visit www.ataloss.org the UK bereavement sign posting website
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
Child Bereavement UK provides support for anyone who has lost a child, and for children themselves who are bereaved.
Amparo Provides emotional and practical support to those bereaved by suicide.
Listening Ear provides counselling or support via a helpline. Call 0800 048 5224 10am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
Drugs, Alcohol and gambling
Men are more likely than women to turn to unhelpful coping strategies when stressed, worried, or feeling down as men tend to prefer practical ways to cope. Turning to alcohol, taking recreational drugs or gambling can feel like a quick fix giving temporary relief but it doesn’t help to solve the original problem and can actually make things worse. We don’t have to be addicted for alcohol, drugs and gambling to make us feel worse. It can help to learn more about positive practical ways that can calm your mind leaving your head clear to find a solution to what’s bothering you
Drugs and Alcohol- The Calm Zone
Helplines and online support
FREE confidential advice available 24/7 via email, text, phone and live chat if you are struggling with drug and alcohol Talk to FRANK
FREE confidential support available 24/7 via phone, and live chat if you are struggling with gambling Gam Care
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
FREE NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. For more info visit Think Wellbeing Halton
Change Grow Live Service Provides FREE support to those who are experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol.
Military-Veterans-Service- Op COURAGE provide FREE support to those due to leave the armed forces and ex-service personnel across the North West
Stressed
A small amount of stress is good for us but being stressed all the time can damage our health. Men and women react differently to stress possibly due to a combination of biological differences with hormones and different expectations due to culture and society norms. It can help to understand what you’re warning signs are as well as healthy ways to calm your mind.
Men’s Health Forum- Stress Warning signs
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
FREE NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. For more info visit Think Wellbeing Halton
Military-Veterans-Service- Op COURAGE provide FREE support to those due to leave the armed forces and ex-service personnel across the North West.
Change Grow Live Service Provides FREE support to those who are experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of fear or panic which is totally normal in certain situations such as a job interview or even something positive like getting married or having a baby. But sometimes anxiety can take over getting in the way of enjoying our lives. Men and women experience anxiety differently. Men are more likely to experience physical symptoms such as being tense, irritable and having trouble sleeping leading to anger and unhelpful coping strategies such as alcohol and drugs to avoid their worries.
No Panic helpline 08449 67 48 48
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
FREE NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. For more info visit Think Wellbeing Halton
Military-Veterans-Service- Op COURAGE provide FREE support to those due to leave the armed forces and ex-service personnel across the North West.
Change Grow Live Service Provides FREE support to those who are experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol.
Depression
It’s normal to feel sad, down, moody and angry from time to time especially if you are going through a tough time. If these feelings are affecting your ability to think clearly and handle daily activities it can be useful to learn more about what can help you get back to a better place. Men can experience depression differently to women and instead of seeming sad can be angry and irritable experiencing physical symptoms such as tight chest, racing heart and problems sleeping.
NHS- How to cope with depression
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
FREE NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. For more info visit Think Wellbeing Halton
Military-Veterans-Service- Op COURAGE provide FREE support to those due to leave the armed forces and ex-service personnel across the North West.
Change Grow Live Service Provides FREE support to those who are experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol.
Anger
Anger is a response we developed to help us survive and is a normal reaction to a variety of situations. It’s healthy to express anger but we need to do this in a way that doesn’t harm ourselves or others. As men tend to prefer more practical coping strategies it can be useful to think about healthy ways to channel your anger such as sports, being active, and distraction techniques like listening to music or fixing something.
Support if you live in Widnes or Runcorn
FREE NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. For more info visit Think Wellbeing Halton
Nightstop Communities Northwest CIC- Anger management support
Military-Veterans-Service- Op COURAGE provide FREE support to those due to leave the armed forces and ex-service personnel across the North West.
Change Grow Live Service Provides FREE support to those who are experiencing problems with drugs and/ or alcohol.
Need
help
now?
MONEY WORRIES
Are money worries affecting your wellbeing? Read our guide on the practical steps you can take to calm your mind, plus tips on where to seek expert support.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Helping men cope with grief and loss
Whether it is the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a relationship or the loss of a child, losing someone or something we love can have a devastating impact.