A Blackburn men’s mental health and wellbeing group is marking a major milestone after supporting local men week in, week out for almost four years.
Shad Chefs Man Hub has now reached its 200th weekly session, offering men a relaxed, informal space to come together, eat, and support one another without pressure or judgement.
The group meets every Thursday evening at Bramwell House on Heaton Street and is open to any man aged 18 or over, with no referrals or expectations.
Founder Shane Calvert said, “There’s no pressure to open up, no labels, and no referrals needed – just a safe space where lads can turn up as they are."
Sessions often centre around shared food and honest conversation, with the tone changing week by week.
“Some weeks are light-hearted, some weeks are heavier, but the constant is connection,” Shane explained.
“For many of the men who attend, this is the only social contact they have all week.”
Shane said the group was created in response to the ongoing difficulties many men face when it comes to talking about mental health, loneliness, grief, addiction, and everyday pressures.
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“Men still struggle to talk about these things,” he said.
“Shad Chefs removes the clinical feel that can put people off and replaces it with something familiar and welcoming – food, banter, and belonging.”
Over the years, the group has supported men through bereavement, recovery, homelessness, and major life changes, while always protecting individual privacy.
Shane said he has seen men arrive withdrawn and isolated, then slowly grow in confidence and rebuild their lives.
“We’ve seen men come in withdrawn and isolated, and over time grow in confidence, build friendships, and re-engage with life,” he said.
The group’s longevity, Shane believes, comes down to the people who attend.
“What’s kept us going for 200 weeks is simple: the men,” he said. “The group is shaped by them and for them.”
Shane added that the impact has been profound.
“Seeing lives change, relationships rebuild, and knowing that for some attendees this group has quite literally been life-saving is what drives us to keep turning up every week.”
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Shad Chefs has also received ongoing support from local businesses, including Nº39 Blackburn and Hardeez Great Kickin’ Chicken, helping the group remain sustainable.
Despite reaching the 200-week milestone, there are no big celebrations planned.
“For week 200, we aren’t planning a special session,” Shane said.
“We’ll just keep bringing everyone together, reflecting on the journey so far, and recognising the community that has grown around the group. It’s less about marking a number and more about celebrating consistency, resilience, and showing that men’s spaces like this really do work.”
Shad Chefs Man Hub runs every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm at Bramwell House, Heaton Street, Blackburn, and is open to men from any area aged 18 and over.
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