Talk About It Mate C.I.C. provides regular peer support, group work and wellbeing activity that brings people together to connect for the benefit of their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Our specialist focus remains supporting men across Salford, particularly men who may be isolated, out of work, living with poor mental health, experiencing low confidence, or finding it difficult to access more formal support. During this reporting year, we continued to deliver a consistent programme of men's peer support groups across Salford. These groups provide safe, welcoming spaces where men can meet regularly, talk openly, listen to one another, and build relationships. Sessions typically include informal connection, individual reflection, small group sharing, whole group discussion and practical signposting where needed. The groups are designed to be accessible, down-to-earth and shaped around the people who attend. The benefit to the community has been significant. Men have reported feeling less alone, more connected, more confident and better able to talk about what is going on in their lives. The consistency of the groups has helped build trust over time, with many men attending regularly and supporting others to settle in. The work has also helped reduce pressure on local services by providing early, preventative and community-based support for men before issues become more serious. Volunteers, peer supporters and group members continued to play an important role in the development of the organisation. We supported men to take on more responsibility within groups, welcome new members, help with practical tasks, attend outreach events and contribute to the culture of the organisation. This has created informal pathways for personal development, confidence building and leadership. Creative and social activity continued to strengthen our offer. We used creative approaches, themed discussions, walks, community events and informal social opportunities to help men connect in different ways. These activities supported emotional expression, encouraged healthier routines and created opportunities for friendship beyond the core group sessions. We also continued to build relationships with local partners, community organisations, referrers and funders. These relationships helped increase awareness of men's wellbeing needs across Salford and strengthened referral and signposting routes. Talk About It Mate has increasingly become recognised as a trusted grassroots organisation with a strong understanding of the men it supports. Our organisation benefited the community by: - Providing regular peer support groups that reduce loneliness and isolation. - Creating safe and welcoming spaces where men can speak openly and be listened to. - Supporting men to build confidence, self-awareness and healthier social connections. - Signposting attendees to further specialist, clinical, crisis or community support where appropriate. - Offering one-to-one support and informal check-ins where additional support was needed. - Developing volunteer and peer support pathways for men with lived experience. - Using creative activity, discussion topics and community projects to support wellbeing. - Encouraging informal befriending, mutual support and connection between sessions. - Maintaining WhatsApp and online communication to help people stay connected. - Attending local events and forums to raise awareness of men's mental health and wellbeing. - Working with local partners and referrers to improve access to community-based support. - Championing the voices and lived experiences of men in Salford.

Talk About It Mate's stakeholders are adults over the age of 18 who access or engage with our groups, activities and services, with a primary focus on men's wellbeing. Other key stakeholders include volunteers, peer supporters, directors, community partners, local venues, referring agencies, social prescribers, funders and wider VCSE partners across Salford. Throughout the year, we consulted with stakeholders in both formal and informal ways. Because our work is relationship-led and community-based, much of our consultation happens through regular conversation, group feedback, co-design and observation of what is working for the men who attend. Group feedback and co-design: Group members shaped discussion themes, activities, group culture and practical decisions about how sessions are run. Feedback helped us keep the groups accessible, consistent and responsive to the men attending. Volunteer and peer supporter involvement: Volunteers and men with lived experience contributed to planning, welcoming new members, practical delivery and reflections on what support is needed. This shaped how we developed progression routes and volunteer opportunities. Community partner feedback: We remained in conversation with local partners, referrers, funders and VCSE organisations. These conversations helped identify gaps in support, particularly around accessible daytime provision for isolated men. Referral learning: The nature of referrals and conversations with referrers helped us understand the needs of men being directed to us. This reinforced the importance of providing consistent, non-clinical, community-based spaces with clear signposting where needed. Event and outreach engagement: Attendance at local events, fairs and community settings allowed us to hear directly from local people and organisations about what is needed and how Talk About It Mate can be more visible and approachable. Ongoing reflective practice: Facilitators and directors continued to reflect on feedback, attendance patterns, group dynamics and partnership conversations to make practical improvements to delivery. As a result of stakeholder consultation, we continued to strengthen our group offer, improve how we welcome new members, develop more creative and social activity, build clearer referral and signposting routes, and create more opportunities for men to contribute to the organisation. This has helped Talk About It Mate remain grounded in the needs and experiences of the people it exists to support.

Consultancy fees of £17,650 were paid to the Director

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration