That Great Manc Pod The MancSpirit Charity & MancMade Productions

Brilliant to chat with Reece about his acting career, which started as a child actor on Waterloo Road (at the time one of the biggest shows on TV) and his business career as the Founder of Social Plug®.

Reece talks openly and very honestly to us about the issues with both careers that have impacted his mental health.  

In doing so, along with open and transparent posts on his social platforms (specifically LinkedIn) Reece hopes to encourage others to reach out and talk with someone if they feel they need support with their mental health.

Great to have James Walton back on That Great Manc Pod.. Writer, Filmmaker, Poet and..new Dad.

James has just released his new novella, "Every Neet o' Week, published by Bent Key Publishing. 


It's  written in the local Wigan dialect, something which James has become known for and focuses on protagonist and local darts maverick Jimmy Stott, exploring his journey from chip shop server to potential world champion.


We talked with James about the book, the background to writing it and how he has stayed creative.

This series showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing people in our communities that have seen and done astonishing things, faced some terrible struggles, but who have ultimately found comradery, support and comfort as part of the Trafford Veterans family.

Lee Ward - Lee tells us about his 24 year career in the Army, a great story explaining how he used his time wisely learning from the experienced older soldiers, then planning his career progression through an extensive career including joining the Royal Logistics Core, training as a Commando and eventually becoming a training instructor. Lee also shares the struggle he had transitioning into Civilian life and how he now supports young people in pastoral care.

This series showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing people in our communities that have seen and done astonishing things, faced some terrible struggles, but who have ultimately found comradery, support and comfort as part of the Trafford Veterans family.

Claire Squires - We had the opportunity to speak to the other co-founder of Trafford Veterans CIC following in the footsteps of her Grandad who created the Galantary Medal League and hear about her life growing up in Trafford, joining the Naval Reserves aged 17 and going on to serve in the Royal Navy on one of our biggest aircraft carriers as a helicopter technician. Claire also shares how she was moulded by military service running through her own family, a lifelong sense of duty to others and her own struggles moving on with her children from domestic violence - including how she was let down twice in her career in the Navy and Police, by the system when she needed the support. She also talks about creating, running and growing Trafford Vets with some wise words on the importance of peer mentoring, teamwork and ensuring that even the people who run charities need support too.

This series showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing people in our communities that have seen and done astonishing things, faced some terrible struggles, but who have ultimately found comradery, support and comfort as part of the Trafford Veterans family.

Bob Wright. An episode that covers a lot. Bob talks about growing up in Openshaw, joining the Royal Transport Corp at 15, serving in Germany, Denmark and Northern Ireland and how witnessing trauma has led to him actively helping young people and other veterans with PTSD.

This series showcases the lives of people across Trafford that have served in our Armed Forces, their families and also those that have worked, or still work, across the emergency services. Working in partnership with Trafford Veterans CIC we listen to the amazing people in our communities that have seen and done astonishing things, faced some terrible struggles, but who have ultimately found comradery, support and comfort as part of the Trafford Veterans family.

Chris Squires - a frank and sobering interview with the co-founder of Trafford Veterans CIC where he talks about his 13 years in the Kings regiment. He shares thought-provoking stories of serving on anti-tank patrols with 2 tours in Afghanistan and 2 tours in Iraq. Chris also talks about his struggles with mental health and how suicide attempts led to helping so many others through the setting up of Trafford Veterans CIC when he couldn't find the help he needed.