In this special episode for University Mental Health Day The Man Hug have teamed up with award winning podcast the Proper Mental Podcast. The Proper Mental Podcast is an award‑winning UK mental health podcast created and hosted by Tom Davies. The podcast focuses on open, honest conversations about mental health and mental illness, aiming to normalise these discussions and reduce stigma. Tom began the podcast after personal mental health struggles, using dialogue as part of his recovery and hoping to help others feel less isolated. Since launching in 2021, the series has featured more than 200 guests including authors, clinicians, activists, musicians, and people with lived experience. Episodes explore a broad range of topics - anxiety, depression, recovery, community support and the podcast has become a resource for awareness, education, and connection.

https://www.propermentalpodcast.com/

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Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper

In this episode we are joined by two more fantastic guests as we discuss the theme of 'kindness'.

Gary Millar is an Alderman, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, an enthusiastic 'Pay It Forward' champion, philanthropist, Senior Fellow, international relations lead and writer. He has recently published his families story 'Silent Victims' parts 1 & 2 which is a deeply personal and documentary‑style account of the human cost of the thalidomide scandal, told through the story of his family. Rather than focusing solely on the medical disaster, the narrative offers a raw, intimate portrait of a family navigating grief, stigma, and systemic failure. In doing so, it highlights the many “silent victims” whose suffering has often been overshadowed by the broader historical account of the thalidomide tragedy. Gary discusses the moments in which kindness has been instrumental in his life and how his ethos has always been to 'pay it forward' and to help others.

We are also joined by Sheila Byrne, who is the CEO and founder of Hope Street which is a community café and support hub in Ormskirk offering a safe, welcoming space for people facing mental health challenges. Through affordable food, peer support, and free wellbeing services, they help individuals feel seen, supported, and connected. Sheila and her husband set this up after she was failed by services when she needed them most for her own mental health. Sheila's kindness now sees that her community have access to support 365 days a year.

hhttp://www.garymillar.com/

ttps://hopest.org.uk/

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Follow us on Instagram - @The_Man_Hug
We are also on Tik Tok and YouTube - search "The Man Hug Podcast"

Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper

On this special episode (as part of HIV Testing week) we are joined by 2 more fantastic guests, to help educate us and rid any common misconceptions about HIV. We are joined by Emma Davey, A lifelong ally and advocate supporting people living with HIV, Emma is employed in a role in HIV oncology, working alongside Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Alliance to tackle the challenges people living with HIV face in accessing early cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. Emma works closely with George House Trust, a charity working tirelessly to provide support, advice and information for people living with HIV. George House Trust are committed to ensuring that people have access to what they need to live well with HIV. With an MSC in Advanced Clinical Practice, she is now working towards a doctorate in HIV oncology, aiming to be a positive part of the future of HIV oncology. In addition to her role in HIV care, Emma has worked for the last 23 years as a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care.

We are also joined by John Kelly, Peer support worker at George House Trust. John has lived with HIV for 16 years and now helps newly diagnosed people navigate the support in enabling them to live well post-diagnosis. His valuable insight helps to rid common misconceptions and reduce the stigma. This valuable episode is an excellent educational resource for us all.

George House Trust - https://ght.org.uk/

Send us a text

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - @The_Man_Hug
We are also on Tik Tok and YouTube - search "The Man Hug Podcast"

Hosted by:

Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper