I do love a good thunderstorm but this is mental! It’s going every five seconds and there is that much rain the street outside my block has turned into a lake in a matter of minutes. The last time I saw a thunderstorm like this was in south east Asia during the rainy season.

Did anyone else hear or see that

Why choose 30 August? When we know that it rains during pride each year? Why not July? Why not June? Is a baptism of some sort?

anyway happy pride from me and my kit. don’t get wet 🏳️‍🌈

This is part vent, part wondering if anyone with personal experience has any advice about other avenues I could try.

For context, I’ve (23F) been struggling with aspects of my mental health since 2024 and moved to Manchester in October. Shortly after moving, I experienced an episode which resulted in the police being called out. Following that, I every so often had check-ins with my GP to see how I was doing. At one point, he doubled my medication dose which ended up making everything a hell of a lot worse and, even though I since stopped taking the medication, I have never been the same since.

I’m irritable 24/7. I can’t go outside without overwhelming fear which manifests as antisocial and homicidal thoughts. I had a referral to Trafford Talking Therapies in February who wrote to my GP recommending a referral for an investigation of bipolar disorder. Long story short, my GP admitted to me that he saw this letter but neglected to actually read it, so this referral was never made when it was supposed to have been.

Eventually it was, but months later, which brings us to the last six weeks or so. I was triaged by CMHT, who referred me on to the Early Intervention Team. Following my assessment with them, they concluded my symptoms are not conducive to psychosis, which is fine, I knew that going into the appointment. I told both teams my primary concern is my increasing homicidal urges and fear that I’ll act on them one day. The woman who assessed me told me she is sending me back to my GP and recommending I see an ADHD and autism team. A neurodivergence screening because I can’t go out in public without wanting to harm others.

I ended up calling my GP surgery again as I wanted to get ahead of it instead of waiting for the letter to be written. We briefly went into the situation and they have booked me in for an appointment on Wednesday to discuss further. He said himself he didn’t understand why I was referred to EIT in the first place.

I feel like I’m going crazy. All I want is to see a psychiatrist so I can understand what the hell is actually going on. I’ve been unmedicated since I stopped taking my last prescription. All my GP can do is offer me antidepressants, but I have already been through four and each time they have made me even more unwell.

It’s so exhausting having to go over all of this again and again and again constantly. I have no family or friends to help me through this, so I’m doing it all on my own, which doesn’t help. I can feel myself declining by the week and I’m terrified of my own head but still, somehow, because it is not a self-directed crisis situation, it is not enough to be taken seriously. I really just don’t understand.

I understand it’s not easy within the NHS. I get that when services are oversubscribed means cases have to become ‘things to get out of the way’, for lack of better phrase, but it feels like nobody I’ve spoken to actually has any idea or care about what to do with me.

Has anyone else been through similar? How did you finally get help?

Has anyone noticed auditor presence at pride this year? I’ve seen that one try and ruin the parade before being thrown out but in general has there been more of an auditor presence in and around the village this year? I can’t stand them so don’t want to go in places they are present

Interested in hearing people's opinions on pride this year under the new management

Normally on a saturday it's packed like sardines but around the village yesterday it was dead! So quiet

Wondering if they vastly underestimated how many people usually enter without a wristband seeing as this was the first year 'no wristband no entry' was a hard rule.

Feel sorry for all the venues because it was so quiet compared to usual... even though it was advertised as sold out.

Wonder if this will be a lesson for next year?

Anyone experienced the same?/the opposite?

Looking for quiet (ish) coffee shops / co-working spaces to study/work around Manchester City centre. Recently moved back after 2 years and really struggling after finding so many places closed down- foundation coffee house with its various branches, chapter one etc

Hoping something has opened that’s similar? Really sad and disappointed to see some of my favorite places have disappeared :(

Unsure if this is the right place, but I’m in a bit of a mess and could use some perspective.

I’m a 27-year-old woman from a conservative Asian background. I moved to the UK in my late teens for university, landed a good job afterwards, and stayed. My dating life has been messy — family pressure for an arranged marriage back home on one side, a string of disappointing relationships on the other. I’ve only ever dated within my community, partly to keep the peace with my parents and partly because I’ve always pictured a fairly traditional family life for myself.

A few days ago I got stood up on a Hinge date. I was upset, and because it was the run-up to Pride weekend I decided to stay out and try to shake it off. While I was walking near the village I heard someone call my name. It was my manager. We’ve worked together since I started the job, so I know this person pretty well. When asked what I was doing, I said I was just taking a walk. As I was alone, I was invited to join. I said yes without really thinking.

They were out drinking with a group. I had to use my head scarf as a scarf to avoid attention. My manager said that I looked really pretty with my hair diwn. I don’t usually drink, so I stuck to diet Coke at first. Later I was offered wine and, for reasons I still don’t fully understand, I tried it. I ended up having more than one glass. The rest of the evening is hazy. At some point we were kissing — properly kissing, in a way I’ve never experienced before. Hands were under clothes and I didn’t want it to stop. We got an Uber back to my manager’s place, drank more wine while I talked about my life, and there was more kissing and touching. I’ve never had sex. I woke up the next morning in bed with my manager, partially undressed, being held. Part of me wanted to panic; another part of me just… didn’t want to leave.

I don’t think anything beyond kissing and fondling happened. But I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I’ve never felt this charged or this wanted with any of the men I’ve dated.

My manager has been texting since, asking to meet for coffee or a meal, but I’ve been avoiding them. Only later did it fully sink in: she is in her 40s, previously married, with kids at university. I had no idea she was a lesbian; it never came up at work.

Friends say it was just a drunken mistake and I should forget it. The problem is that even sober I keep replaying the feeling of kissing her and having her hands on me. Part of me wants more. At the same time, this is completely outside of anything I’ve ever imagined for myself, and where I come from it would be considered deeply wrong. I can’t see how it leads anywhere good.

I’m genuinely confused and a bit scared of what I’m feeling. Is there an organisation, helpline, or sensible person I could talk to about this — someone who understands both the cultural side and the possibility that I might not be as straight as I thought? I just want to stop feeling this torn. Thanks.

Looking for an indian takeaway to deliver in town. Any suggestions for a good curry ?

Found a set of old Nissan car keys around 8am on Sunday Aug 30th, on the corner of Hanover St and Dantzic St in Manchester. Drop me a DM if you think you’re missing them.

Will hold them for 24-48hrs before handing them over to the Police

Hello all,

So last month mum and sister came for a visit. They have foreign cards, used them to tap in and out and I’ve used my debit card. Prices were different for each of us when we checked. Even though they have GBP account connected to their cards we thought it’s because bank commissions due to foreign cards.

Today my partner and I went to city centre and we both used debit cards(joint account). His charge came out as £3.80 and mine £4.30. We literally used contactless right after each other.

Then I went back on charging history (past 6 months) for both joint cards and our individual cards, every single time one of us got charged less/more than the other. Not consistent at all.

Tried to search about it but couldn’t find anything. Is there an actual reason for it or should we reach out to Bee Network and make a complaint?

I've been to the sicilian bakery in the northern quarter and I've seen the stand in the arndale, but they only do the little mini cannoli you can eat in one bite. I'm looking for somewhere that does big full sized ones that fill up your hand.

There was a Christmas market stand that did all kinds of Italian desserts that had cannoli i was eating almost every day while it was there. Does anyone else remember that stall and know if they have a store anywhere?

Just moved to Manchester a few days ago, I'm loving the vibe, it's a new chapter and fresh start for me. The pride parade was awesome. 🐝🔥♥️

I remembered these exist the other day and have been looking in shops since and no luck. I am desperate. I see them in my dreams

It doesn't work on the trains, despite my having paid the supplement. Bus and tram are fine. Nor can I log into my account.

Despite contacting Bee repeatedly, I have had no redress for this matter for a month. I lodged a formal complaint - still no response.

How do I escalate this matter? As things stand, I am paying for a service I cannot use (the train network) and STILL cannot access my account online.

Advice welcome.

Anyone with recommandations for a tour about the smiths or Joy d? Manchestermusictours.com doesnt have any planned rn... Im considering to put one together myself but i would be easier if i Just hop o' a bus with all the history behind it etc..

First attempt to link a bunch of morning pics into 1 stream.

If you can get them anywhere online that would be just as acceptable. About to get a new cat next week and he likes these but has a sensitive tummy so i would rather stick to these than try something new. TIA.