Manchester’s mental health cafe is staying open during lockdown for takeaway and support

Feel Good Club started as an Instagram page aiming to normalise the stigma around mental health.

But the movement grew, and married couple and founders Kiera and Aimie Lawlor-Skillen opened the doors to their brand-new wellbeing-focused coffee house last weekend in the heart of the Northern Quarter.

Despite the country heading into a national lockdown on Thursday, Kiera and Aimie will be keeping the Hilton Street coffee house open for takeaway only.

The staff are all mental health first aid trained, so for those who are worrying about this next lockdown, Feel Good Club are ensuring their doors stay open for takeaway to help anyone who might be struggling.

Google search data compiled by Feel Good Club shows the increasingly worrying rise in mental health searches, with a 25% uplift in the UK overall.

Searches for how to deal with anxiety are up by 53%, how to cope with OCD up 89%, and tips on how to cope with depression up 67%.

As well as serving up takeaway, Feel Good Club is hoping to help support those in need this lockdown.

“We’ll be staying open throughout lockdown for takeaway, our team are mental health first aid trained so can support people who may be in need when they come to get their coffee,” say Kiera and Aimie.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone and we want to offer support to anyone who might be struggling during this time.”

Only two weeks after opening, Feel Good Cafe were hit with the government’s last Tier 3 enforcement limiting Feel Good Club’s plans.

But once the UK gets back on its feet, Feel Good Club say they will host everything from community events, a friendly safe space and co-working, to those just wanting to take some time out of their day relaxing in their iconic greenhouse surrounded by beautiful vibrant colours and houseplants.

“Feel Good Club exists to remind people that we are all just humans,” they say.

“Two wives on a mission to support you in becoming your best and happiest self.

“We are not just a brand, we are a community of people who are normalising the conversation around mental health and feelings in general.”