Weekly meetings

Because we are in the process of restarting the group we may change venue a few times to find something we can afford, so please check the welcome page for details. At the end of the meeting members are invited to meet for a drink in the Molly House pub on Richmond street

Members can meet and chat in an informal and safe setting . There are usually between two and three trained volunteers on duty per evening. Many of them came out through Icebreakers themselves.

On your first visit a volunteer will have a private one-to-one chat with you and tell you all about the group and what we can do to help you.

The volunteers are always on hand to create a relaxed atmosphere and answer any questions about gay life, what’s going on in Manchester, and the other services available through other organisations

Occasionally, meetings will include presentations about topics such as coming out or safer sex. We also invite guest speakers from groups or organisations that are of interest, such as OutDoorLads, the Police, Village CAB, FFLAG, Northern Waves and Pride Sports.

In some ways, what you get out of Icebreakers is up to you. As well as being a mutual support group, it’s a self-help group. But there is always a chance that you might not enjoy your first night. You might find yourself feeling nervous, for instance, or sitting next to someone with whom you don’t share any common interest. If that happens, please persevere and give us another go.

Meetings end at around 9.00pm, when most members and volunteers go to one of the gay pubs in the Village – the area of the city dominated by gay bars and businesses. Currently we go to The Molly House

But Icebreakers isn’t just about Thursday night meetings. It also arranges social events.

For more information about Icebreakers and to find out about coming to a meeting, please e-mail the group at info@icebreakersmanchester.org.uk – this is normally checked twice a week.