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Hello
Six years ago, 22 lives were cruelly taken away when a bomb went off at the Manchester Arena on the night of May 22, 2017. The bomb also injured more than 1,100 people, leaving many with severe psychological trauma and life-changing injuries.
The act of terrorism continues to have a deep impact on those there that night and the families of those who didn’t make it home. But a new report published today to mark the sixth anniversary of the attack found that almost a third of children and young people affected said they haven't received any professional support since the terrorist bombing.
The 'Bee The Difference' project - a collaboration between nine young survivors from the 2017 attack, the National Emergencies Trust and researchers from Lancaster University - involved 236 young people - aged under 18 at the time of the attack - taking part in a survey which compiled quantitative and qualitative information.
The survey found that 75 per cent of children and young people affected were psychologically injured by what happened to them, but more than one in four - 29 per cent - have never received any professional support in the six years since. Four in ten - 40 per cent - of them said nothing was ever offered to them.
Some who received care reported how their support often felt ‘insensitive’. One said: "The tutor told me that I should take the attack as a positive experience - that this 'hardship' would make me a stronger person. He said not many young people experience hardships nowadays. This felt totally insensitive, so I didn’t return."
Another said: "I poured my heart out to this random GP who totally dismissed everything I expressed. She said I was coping better than she would have been because I was 15."
Lead researcher Dr Cath Hill said the testimonies showed that while some professional help offered by teachers, counsellors, GPs and others was incredibly valuable, some inadvertently introduced more trauma. Dr Hill also highlighted examples of 'incredible pastoral care in schools where individuals went above and beyond to support young survivors' new needs'.
Young survivor and co-designer of the research project, Ellie Taylor, said: "We never knew how challenging it would be trying to not only find the support but find help that wasn’t more damaging and triggering.
“This project has given me hope that young survivors will never feel ignored, invalidated, and disregarded ever again. I have met some of the most amazing people and together we are hoping to change history."
Friendship through the darkness
Lucy Jarvis, who was 17 at the time, spent 11 days in a coma after being caught up in the terror attack. She and her friend had just been leaving the arena when the bomber set off his homemade device in the foyer.
As Lucy lay severely injured following the attack, John Clarkson, a technical manager at the arena, helped and comforted her for three hours. "He kept squeezing my hand and wouldn’t let me fall asleep,” she explained.
If he hadn’t, Lucy says she believes she wouldn’t have survived. With the help of colleague Paul Worsley, John managed to keep Lucy stable until she was taken to hospital. She remained in hospital for eight weeks, then had intense physio to learn how to walk again.
When Lucy woke from her coma, John visited her just days later and the pair have formed an inseparable bond since. John has since become friends with Lucy’s parents, and they have gone on days out together. “Lucy has become like my adopted daughter,” John, 56, said. “I’m so proud of her and everything she’s achieved. She’s an inspiration."
And despite being unable to complete her A-Levels, she managed to bag a place at the University of Salford to study radio and TV – finishing her three-year degree last week. Lucy said: "My doctors said I was too ill to go back to college or go to university, but I was adamant I’d prove them wrong.
"University has been amazing and I’ve met friends for life who’ve been so supportive. But none of this would have been possible without John – I owe him a lot.”
The pair will spend Monday night together with their families as they reflect on the attack and the six years that have passed since. "We’re going to meet and go out for some nice food," said Lucy. "John is our hero and we’ll be friends for life."
Read more on their friendship here.
Off to the races
25,000 people took part in the 20th edition of the Great Manchester Run at the weekend - either by running a half-marathon or a 10K race. Amongst those raising for charities and organisations close to their hearts was four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah.
The Run represented Sir Mo Farah’s final professional running appearance in Manchester and one of his last ever as he prepares to retire after the Great North Run in September.
After completing the 10K in just under 30 minutes, Sir Mo said: “It was just to say goodbye to Manchester [today]. Without the crowd and the support there, it would not have been the same throughout my career.”
Sir Mo, who came eighth in the 10K race, said he will continue to run in charity events but this year will be his last when it comes to competing. He explained: “I love the sport, that’s all I know. My mind has [still got] it but my body does not.”
He added: “I’ve had an amazing career. Hopefully, next I will be able to give back to kids and the community, and show people what we can do with determination.”
Also competing in the race were Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, who was running for the We Love Manchester charity, and New Order’s Peter Hook, who took part to raise money for The Christie.
“It’s easy to run for The Christie, they have done so much,” he told the M.E.N. “My auntie Jean was treated very well there, Tony Wilson was too. Today I am running for Andy Rourke and Oliver Park, Graeme Park’s son. There’s too many. It’s the least I can do.“
You can look at some of the photos from the Great Manchester Run here.
'Noisy and colourful'
Manchester City celebrated their third consecutive Premier League win at the Etihad on Sunday following a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Thousands of Blues gathered outside the club’s home ground on Sunday to give their heroes a ‘noisy and colourful welcome’ ahead of the game’s kick-off, which was considered a party following City’s victory over Arsenal at Nottingham Forest earlier this week.
Following the game, fans invaded the pitch to celebrate the club’s title win before Pep Guardiola’s team collected their trophy in emotional scenes. Amongst them was striker Erling Haaland, who joined the club less than a year ago.
Haaland scored an impressive 52 goals for the club this season - giving him the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season. "These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life," he said after lifting the title. "It’s special," he added. "I’m just gonna enjoy this day.
"This is a so special moment with the trophy and all the players and the whole club. Without the club and my teammates it would not be possible. Amazing. Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left - not a bad start."
Speaking about the club’s triumphant season with manager Guardiola in charge, M.E.N’s City writer Joe Bray states: “Guardiola has developed his tactics on a game-by-game basis, from integrating Erling Haaland to solving the small issue of playing half the campaign without a recognised left-back.
“As City march on to try and complete the treble, it feels that Guardiola has his most complete squad when it comes to versatility, adaptability, and playing football in the Guardiola mould.”
Parked off
Car parks in the city centre get a bit of a reputation for being on the costly side of things, but the M.E.N’s lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne discovered a whole new reason to be irritated after parking in the city this month.
Having paid for 24 hours parking at the Piccadilly Gardens Car Park, Dianne mistakenly believed the car park would be open all day whilst she excellently covered how Manchester celebrated the Eurovision grand final last Saturday.
Returning to her vehicle just after midnight, Dianne, along with others, found the premises had shut for the night and wouldn’t be reopening until 5.30am.
Dianne recalled: “As I stood, jaw literally dropped at being locked out, a group of ladies from Leeds were also left stranded, looking horrified that their cars were all locked up inside. "We don't know Manchester", they wailed. "Well I do, and I'm just as shocked," I replied.
“There was nothing, nothing on the exterior of the car park when you drive in to state that this is not a 24 hour car park. Otherwise I (and those ladies) clearly wouldn't have used it.
“There is just a big blue poster outside saying: "Welcome to Piccadilly Gardens Car Park", adding: "Park up and pay before you walk away".”
Dianne said she wanted to share her experiences with others in an attempt to prevent them from making the same mistake she did.
Manchester Council said the overnight closure of the car park is due to concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area and said they believe there is adequate signage about the opening hours inside the car park.
You can read more about her experience here.
'The Old Man'
The Reverend Mark Coleman, the former Vicar of Rochdale, was jailed last month after taking part in a climate change demonstration in London. As one of a number of Insulate Britain protesters, the 64-year-old sat in the road of a busy junction during a two hour protest in October.
Since standing down from the church in February 2022 due to ill health, Mr Coleman gained a reputation for his environmental activism and even earned himself the 'Rochdale Rebel'.
But his actions landed him five weeks in prison for causing a public nuisance. During his stint at HMP Thameside, a category B prison in Greenwich, south London, Mr Coleman said he was taken under the wing of a cellmate who had 15 years of prison time under his belt.
"He gave me some good advice on how to get things in prison," he told M.E.N reporter Damon Wilkinson. "He told me sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. He would tell the guards he was looking after the 'Old Man', that's what he called me."
Mr Coleman said he appeared to be something of a novelty in prison, with inmates 'intrigued and amused' at having a vicar in their midst. One cellmate showed him a copy of a newspaper which featured him with his hands glued to the road during the protest.
"I think that earned me some respect, or maybe it was just amusement," he said.
Mr Coleman was released after serving half of his five week sentence. "Prison is a bleak place,” he explained. “But I never felt afraid for my safety, I never felt isolated, I didn't witness any violence. It gave me a great insight into the life of prisoners.”
You can read more about his experience in prison here.
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Weather etc
Temperatures: Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. 17C.
⛔ Road closures: Contraflow and roadworks on A62 Oldham Way between B6477 Prince Street and A627 Ashton Road (King Street roundabout) until May 26. Delays expected.
One lane closed in both directions due to roadworks on A663 Broadway, near Chadderton, between Elk Mill Roundabout and Middleton Road. Until May 31.
Trivia question: Which Manchester library was the first free library in the UK to open to the public in 1953?
Manchester headlines
- Anniversary: Today marks the tenth anniversary of the death of soldier Lee Rigby. The ‘Langley lad from Middleton’ was just 25 when he was senselessly attacked whilst walking down the street. The M.E.N’s Paul Britton has written a touching piece looking back on the last ten years.
- Drivers: One area in Bolton has been labelled as the place with the worst drivers in the country. The BL1 postcode area has more than 700 drivers with at least six points on their licence. More here.
- WhatsApp: Greater Manchester Police has cracked down on officers’ use of WhatsApp on police-issued phones after disciplinary action was taken against a group of PCs for their involvement in a chat group which shared racist, homophobic and ableist messages.
- ‘Algarve’: Temperatures in Manchester this week could reach as high as 24C - with some weather forecasters predicting it could be warmer than the Algarve. More here.
Worth a read
The same lavish Baroque and Egyptian hybrid design that Trafford Centre shoppers see today has existed ever since the centre opened its doors back in 1999. But not everything has lasted 25 years, with many bars, restaurants, shops and areas coming and going since then.
For example, Festival Village featured little stalls and independent boutiques selling everything from Beanie Babies and socks to jelly beans and model train sets.
As nostalgia writer Lee Grimsditch notes, it was ‘the perfect place if you ever needed a break from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the main centre’. But the little haven didn't last long and was replaced by John Lewis in 2005.
Have a look at some other lost Trafford Centre treasures here.
That's all for today
Thanks for joining me. If you have stories you would like us to look into, email adam.maidment@reachplc.com.
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The answer to today's trivia question is: Chetham's Library.
