The Living Room: pop in for a chat, a laugh, or just to chill out
We’ve opened a new community space designed to help men socialise and talk openly about mental health issues in Little Lever, Bolton.
Come and see us on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
- The Living Room has been created as part of our award-winning Bolton Manbassadors men's mental health project. It aims to reduce male suicide by encouraging men in the area to discuss mental health openly.
The new space is situated at The Haven community centre between Arthur Street and Independent Street. It’s the project’s first permanent location to provide support and gives men a place to drop in whenever they wish and speak to our friendly colleagues.
The converted space includes darts and table tennis facilities, prompting conversations on mental health in an informal setting.
Bolton Manbassadors is part of the Greater Manchester Manbassadors programme, which is supported by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Living Room project has been made possible through funding received from Bolton Council’s Growing The Good Work Fund.
We launched the space at an informal event held on Friday 7 August 2026, which included Manbassadors project team members, regular attendees, members of the local community, and other stakeholders. The event was also attended by Councillor Andrea Taylor-Burke.
Guests had a chance to tour the Living Room’s facilities, connect and learn more about other initiatives led by Manbassadors in Bolton.
“In the UK, men account for around three out of every four suicides. We know how difficult it can be for men to discuss mental health and Manbassadors’ goal is simple – to help reduce men’s suicide rates through positive mental health conversations.
“The Living Room gives us a dedicated permanent space where people can come whenever they feel they need a conversation. It will also act as a focal point for our support across Bolton.
“We are unashamedly informal – there’s no agenda when people call in. We have tried to make it somewhere that men from the Little Lever and wider Bolton area can visit without judgement, relax, socialise and connect. If they want to talk about any issues – someone will be available to listen.”
“I have been involved with Manbassadors since April, when I was struggling and feeling isolated. I live alone and my mental health had taken a dip.
“When I got in touch with Manbassadors, it really helped me to get out and about, talking to other men, valuing my self-worth and learning new skills such as Pilates. It’s also introduced me to walks in the local area which I can do either with Manbassadors or by myself and put me in touch with other resources in the Bolton area.”
The Living Room space will be open for men to call in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Just tap here if you’d like full details of opening times and more information about Manbassadors.
The launch event included attendees from Better Days Bolton, Bolton CVS, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Bolton Manbassadors in the Community, Be One Homes, The National Lottery Community Fund, Squosh CIC, Greater Manchester Manbassadors Project Leads (Wigan, Salford, Stockport).