Hundreds are expected to gather in Salford this Saturday to celebrate the creativity of people who live with mental health issues.

Returning to Victoria Park in Swinton since its success last year, Salford Mad Pride has been organised by a range of organisations such as Community Pride, Salford CVS and Salford Council.

The event is set to start at 12pm with a welcome from Salford Youth Mayor Mitchell Mullins, and is due to finish at 5pm. Throughout the day, local musicians and comedians will appear on the main stage, as well as the mental health matters parade with the Manchester School of Samba.

Event Coordinator Sarah Whitehead is anticipating close to 1000 visitors on a day bursting with creativity and celebration, with one of the more light-hearted goals of Mad Pride to “break the world record for most people doing the conga wearing mad hats in a park.”

Sarah said: “We’re feeling really excited about bringing everyone together. The event has been organised by over 30 different organisations, and it will be great to have some time together, build new relationships and meet new people.”

Community stall holders include the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Salford Survivor Project, and Achieve Recovery Salford.

Jayne Gosnall, a volunteer lead for the event said that Mad Pride is about normalising the conversations around mental health in society.

She added: “The atmosphere last year was absolutely blissful. It just felt like a real coming together of people who wanted the same thing and it just felt like everyone pulling together.

“We’ve got more on this year so I hope it really builds upon what we have achieved already.”

The event is free to attend for all visitors. Further information about Mad Pride can be found on their Facebook page.

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