MEN with mental health needs took part in a six-week community project to learn model making and ceramics skills.

As part of the Next Step project, the group of men, who all live in sheltered accomodation in Withington and Gorton, made cups, plates and tiles.

As well as making them from clay they were also helped to glaze and fire their work by Wendy Andrews of Ceramic Enterprise.

Their handiwork was then presented to them at the Windrush Centre on Alexandra Road, Whalley Range.

Shelagh Woodbridge, senior project officer, said: "The sessions have been great for building self confidence and skills and working together in teams. They’ve been a huge success."

The course was organised by Great Places Housing Group, who run the sheltered housing where the men live.

Next Step received £420 from Great Places’ Supported Housing Residents’ Welfare Fund to run the sessions.