A UNIVERSITY of Bolton student is aiming to make a difference after he launched a new group for men to go to talk about how they are feeling.

Third year student, Subhan Mahmood, 21, has launched a sports talking group that takes place every Thursday morning to try to help men discuss their mental health.

The club takes place every Thursday morning at 10:30am-12:00pm at the Queens Specialist Building in Farnworth.

Subhan said: “I mainly focused the idea of the group on men as there’s always been that stigma, and with the way society is men don’t really talk about their problems.

“They don’t really come forward and discuss their mental health issues, so it was just a move with my placement development to help people come forward and have general conversations about mental health.

“Linking it with sport and how hopefully it can help with mental health, also discussing how you can maintain wellbeing as well as discussing how exercise can help."

Activities that take place at the club include general conversations about sport as well as quizzes and games related to sport.

Subhan is using the running of the club as part of his placement at the Queens Specialist Building, where he splits his time between the placement by completing his degree in Social Work at the University.

He started the club to try to help men use the opportunity to discuss their feelings, focused on sport, which to many is seen as a release to everyday life.

“It’s not anything formal or academic, it’s just a general discussion really, we have open conversations where you can talk about whatever you like.

“Anybody can turn up to the group, I just hope to see plenty of people turning up in the next few weeks as I want to make a difference.”

Anyone interested in attending the group can contact Subhan on 01204 903334 to find out more information.