Freshers speak out on Student Loneliness in Manchester
Starting university should be exciting but many Manchester students say the first weeks can feel isolating. A recent survey by the charity Students Minds found that 37% of students has reported feeling lonely mostly during their first term. With over 100,000 students in Greater Manchester, the issue is widespread. “Starting university is exciting but overwhelming,” […]
Sunderland’s road back to the Premier League: ‘Sometimes you just know’
Sunderland’s season ended in high drama, but this seemingly miraculous conclusion was the culmination of a process long in development. This said, the final two games of 2024-2025 were loaded with intrigue and weight of hope. After eight long years and over 35,200 minutes of blood, sweat and tears, Premier League football was in touching […]
School run by ex-pro footballers to coach children and prevent them joining gangs
A North West alternative school run by ex-professional footballers is helping its students avoid gang culture and thrive in mainstream education. A&K Football Education, an alternative provision school in the Wirral co-founded by former Everton player Tony Grant, is working to reduce the influence of gang culture on its students. The school targets kids aged […]
Salford man creates first Weaste Pride event from garden
Picture of Ian Carberry. Taken by Ian Carberry. A Salford man who launched a Pride event from his back garden has taken the celebration into his local community after resounding success. Ian Carberry, a resident of Salford for 16 years, got the idea to launch a Weaste Pride event after his annual BBQ saw 50 […]
The Price of Success: Manchester City’s Trophy Fatigue Problem
Despite finishing this season trophyless, Pep Guardiola has lead Manchester City to lift multiple trophies in the many seasons he’s managed them. Their fans have enjoyed their success both at home and across the European stage. However, success at this elite level of the sport means playing many games across the country and abroad. To […]
Defying science, teething periods and Eddie Jones: How Rob du Preez broke Premiership appearance record
It was seven minutes into Sale Sharks’ 38-0 hammering of Bristol when, as Rob du Preez lined up a conversion, a graphic showed he’d made history. 64 consecutive starts in one of the most brutal, physically challenging sports, four clear of his former Sale captain Jono Ross. 64 – now 70 – games of unwavering […]
The Filipino Rugby Revolution: Marcus Smith Sparks a New Era
Filipino-born England Rugby star Marcus Smith’s rise to the top is inspiring the next generation in the Philippines to follow in his footsteps. In the nation he, his brothers and his mother were born in, Smith wants to continue inspiring and educating Filipinos.
Haunted highways and ghostly apparitions: How Bolton got its reputation for ‘most haunted town’
As I bimbled through Bolton, teeth chattering for coffee and inspiration, I immediately felt something strongly. Under the stark blue skies of the recent heatwave, I came to realise just how much history has lined these streets. Arriving from out of town, I pondered over the old town hall and the defining figure of Fred […]
Salford community comes together to replace performer’s stolen Easter donations
A Salford community was left “shocked and saddened” after donations were stolen from an Easter event at a church. The incident, which happened at Monton Unitarian Church last Thursday (April 17), saw money stolen from the donations box of a local performer who was putting on a free party for children. Lucy Wilkinson, known professionally […]
Nineteen ‘never events’ recorded at Greater Manchester hospitals over eight months
A total of 19 serious patient safety incidents occurred in Greater Manchester hospitals over an eight-month period last year, according to a new report. A recently published NHS report has revealed that the ‘never events’ occurred at a total of six Greater Manchester hospital trusts – with the North West seeing the highest number in […]