Manchester Cathedral launches a new ‘listening post’ to tackle stigma around mental health and loneliness

Manchester Cathedral has launched a new initiative that aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and loneliness.

‘The Listening Post’ has been erected in its gardens, with members of the cathedral waiting to listen to those wanting to either talk, vent, offload their problems, or all three.

The cathedral announced the new initiative on Facebook this morning, writing: “Today we’ve launched #TheListeningPost. Throughout the summer, depending on the weather and availability, there’ll be someone to have a chat with outside Manchester Cathedral.

“Hours will vary but the warm welcome and compassionate listening won’t.”

The post was quick to garner a reaction online, with many social media users applauding the cathedral for the touching idea.

One Facebook user wrote: “Fabulous idea – get all churches to do it.”

Another noted: “What a fantastic idea, I may be popping along.”

Though this isn’t the first time Manchester Cathedral has made an effort to raise awareness for mental health amongst the community – once a year, they host the Manchester Sleepout, a giant sleepover to share the reality of homelessness in the city and to offer a glimpse into rough sleeping. 

@edwin.11 / Flickr

They also hosted an interfaith service to mark World Mental Health Day in October last year.

Describing the event, they wrote on their website: “The World Mental Health Day Interfaith Service was born out a simple vision – for faith communities to collaborate with health and social agencies, to address the mental health inequalities that we increasingly recognise in our midst and in doing so to build a stronger society.”

Manchester Cathedral can be found on Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX.