This Is A Third Space

Manchester is missing third spaces. We need community, creative expression and space to let our brains OFF the leash. Join us.

About

Not home. Not work.

A space for your nervous system to av' a bloody day off.

Space to paint, create, record a podcast, support your nervous sis (Our mental health professionals) print a T shirt (with the amazing minds behind U SHIRT), meet people, enjoy performances, learn to DJ, drink coffee, zone out, lock in and WHATEVER else your nervous sis needs.

*More suprises to be announced

The Psychology Connection

About

We’re a team of psychologists and mental health practitioners who believe psychology should not live behind clinic doors. We translate therapy skills into real-world tools, blending creative expression with nervous system support and self-reflection.

Expect grounded guidance, practical takeaways, and a space that feels thoughtful rather than clinical.

We’re especially influenced by Compassion Focused Therapy, which means we care a lot about how we relate to ourselves when things feel messy, loud, or overwhelming. We love helping people understand their threat system, their nervous system, and how the body can become part of emotional regulation rather than something to fight against.

At our events, you can expect:
• Practical compassion-based tools
• Simple ways to work with your nervous system through the body
• Reflection prompts that are thoughtful but not heavy
• Music, creativity, and community as part of the process

We blend psychology, art, and sound to create something that feels safe, playful, and grounded in research. This isn’t therapy. It’s skills, space, and creativity woven together in a way that actually makes sense.

U SHIRT by NN

The kooky, real, sustainable creatives behind Hackney Gallery's recent BRAINTO4IA event. As seen at Lost Village festival, this group absolutely embody what they call 'chaos therapy'. Creating space to engage as much as you wish, be whoever you are and communicate through multimedia formats.

ABOUT

BRAINTOPIA is a place they designed for people to hangout. It's your very own art studio. A kind of art house / gallery / hangout zone. Somewhere for your Brain to be let off the leash and have a wonder around.

It's a brain gym. Mind gym. Brainfullness studio. A haven of guilt free creativity.

Create a collage. Draw something. Print a t-shirt with U SHIRT***. Make music. Make a podcast. Eat & drink. Every day is a surprise for you and for us. If you already know us, our usual multimedia experience will be available.

***U SHIRT

U SHIRT is our core project we have been working on for 3 years, yeah that's right! We will be running this alongside the art. U SHIRT is a customer designed fashion brand using only second hand items. You are in the designer's chair. You can create any design through drawing, collage, painting or graphic design which will be heat pressed onto your pre-loved item.

U SHIRT. Upcycled; Upgraded; Unique. Whatever makes You, U;)

POWERED BY *B2B TECHNOLOGY

*B2B Technology is a process that connects one brain to another through the power of imagination and understanding. The power source of B2B tech is the infinite well of ideas that dwell within our subconscious....

Through the power of our BRAIN to BRAIN

Technology, we guarantee you will leave BRAINTOPI4 with extra Brain connections than when you entered our threshold.

We are creating space to engage as much as you wish and be whoever you authentically are.