Graeme Urlwin: Director.

Project Director: The Blue Room.

A career that began selling paper clips and tippex at 16 years old, found himself at drama school at 21, moved to this big northern city at 24, found himself ensconced in local authority until he was 30, dabbled with Directing, performing and being a female air hostess called Dawn plus a few years at the big ship Lowry on Salford Quays. He now heads up The Men’s Room, a project that targets hard to reach communities of men.

Why did you choose to become a board member of Survivors Manchester

Duncan had worked with me for some time on The Blue Room, a project from the umbrella Men’s room, working specifically with young men vulnerable to sexual exploitation and those who were surviving by selling sex. Male sexual abuse was an all too common story coming from the young men and the birth of Survivors in Manchester would give many the opportunity for deal with those issues that have previously been unrecognised and unaddressed. As director of The Men’s Room and working closely with Mr Craig, it was an obvious step that could only benefit the men both services were accessing.

What would you like to see Survivors Manchester do in Manchester?

One of the biggest obstacles that Survivors faces is the taboo surrounding the issue of male sexual abuse, and the barriers men face in addressing issues. The lack of awareness is widespread and also comes from agencies and professionals who may not be aware of the long term damage this can cause to men and the negative impact it has carried with it over many years. Survivors gives men a voice, it gives them an opportunity to receive support through a variety of ways and for many, gives them their first opportunity to talk about what has happened to them. At the moment, I think this is a great achievement for Survivors Manchester and I just want to see that sustained!

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

People need to know that Survivors is here and is here for all Manchester residents - men who have had experience of sexual abuse or want to support someone who has. Men need to access the service and set aside any misplaced feelings of shame or guilt. Men who abuse rely on silence and survivors in the city is a positive and much needed step towards breaking that silence.

What's your favourite thing about Manchester?

I’ve adopted the city as my home and have no desire to return to London, which I left on Good Friday 21 years ago! I never fail to get bored with the city and feel the creativity and dynamism is as alive today as it always has been. I love the Northern Quarter with its great mix of decaying historic buildings and a few new one’s that shouldn’t have been built at all! The garden at The Bay Horse is every reason not to stop smoking and there’s always a good choice of coffee shops to set up in as my second office!