An initiative in Bolton will see men tackling mental health stigma by signing up to be "Manbassadors".

Men of all ages can open up about problems affecting their mental health with people working in barbers, gyms, pubs and cafes across the town signing up to become the men’s health advocates, known as "Manbassadors".

The Bolton Manbassadors project aims to tackle the stigma around men and mental health by creating an environment where men can talk to someone as part of their normal day.

Bolton Manbassadors was created by Adam Warbrick, a community development officer at Bolton at Home.

He said: “Suicide is the biggest killer in men aged under 50 and the numbers are continuing to rise across Greater Manchester.

“For that to change, we must look at more innovative yet simple ways to engage with men in our communities.”

A Manbassador is very much a friendly face in a familiar place.

Since the project launched in June 2021, 25 men and women have become trusty Manbassadors, on hand to give support to customers when it’s needed.

Adam added: “As well as offering one-to-one support through our Manbassador network, we run a number of community activities such as Men in Sheds.

“Here, men can meet in a relaxed environment and talk about all sorts of things.

“We also have a Manbassadors group on Facebook, with some really positive feedback from users.”

Find out more here.