7 ways Mersey Cares supports connection and friendship this International Day of Friendship
28 July 2026
Fostering connection for service users, patients and staff
From badminton sessions that bring communities together, to weekly walks helping new mums build supportive networks, and volunteers who can now meet year-round thanks to the installation of outdoor electricity in Peasley Cross Hospital's ‘secret garden’, Mersey Cares is proud to support a wide range of initiatives that enrich lives across the region - made possible through charitable funding, our amazing fundraisers and our the generous support of our charity partners and local businesses.
To mark International Day of Friendship, we're shining a light on some of these projects and the difference they make; helping people meet others, share experiences, build confidence and feel supported as part of their local community.
Recovery groups to support connection
We supported the St Helens Recovery Team at Peasley Cross Hospital to deliver a variety of meaningful groups for patients and service users that promote wellbeing, connection, and engagement. These regular sessions play a vital role in supporting recovery, offering patients a relaxed and welcoming environment where they can build friendships, share experiences, and take part in therapeutic group activities.
Friends and Social Group: We funded games, outdoor sports equipment and speakers to listen to music
Gardening Group: We provided tools and plants as well as cushions to support patient and volunteer gardening
Walking Group: We funded waterproof clothing, walking boots, umbrellas and torches for all weather walks
Cooking Group: We bought new pans, utensils and an air fryer to kickstart culinary therapy and support healthy eating
“The walking and social groups offer more than just activities,” said Julian Hanley, STR Worker for the Recovery Team. “The groups provide a safe, supportive space where people living with mental health conditions can share experiences, exchange ideas, and build lasting friendships”
Friendships through fundraising – bonding with colleagues and meeting new people
Taking part in a Mersey Cares fundraising challenge is a great way to give back and support people accessing services, but it’s also a great way to meet new people and foster deeper connections with work friends and colleagues. Our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is particularly great for this – and people who have taken part in pervious years have enjoyed meeting people along the way.
Clare McIntyre, part of the Granby Health Visiting Team took on the challenge as a team of five, in addition to the challenge itself, the experience for her was about team building and bonding with other people from across the Trust in the build up to the event.
“I met people from other teams that I would never meet usually, which has been amazing," she said, while Beth Howard, part of the Talking Therapies team said: Throughout the second peak we spent the time chatting and getting to know each other and kept each other’s spirits up having a laugh!
Growing friendships as well as produce – supporting volunteers at Peasley Cross
Thanks to A&B Engineering’s generous support, electricity was installed in the polytunnel at Peasley Cross Hospital, enabling volunteers and the St Helen’s Recovery team to tend to the garden all year round. This small upgrade has made a big difference; not only in that it removed barriers to access, it mean friendships could continue to bloom all year round, strengthening wellbeing through regular connection. Many volunteers have built friendships through attending the groups and outdoor electricity has meant they can continue their meet-ups some rain or shine. They can also make themselves a cuppa independently without having to ask hospital staff.
Mersey Care volunteer, Sue Pearson, said:
“Oh, it’s just absolutely fabulous. We now don’t have to wait now until very late winter or early spring before we can start growing our produce as we can use heated seed trays. Volunteers can also make a hot drink independently. Being able to meet up all year-round boosts wellbeing and social connection.”
Coffee and connection for new mums in the Perinatal Walking Group
Practical items such as umbrellas, insulated cups, and pram cup holders have helped make weekly walking groups more inclusive for new mothers referred to the Specialist Perinatal Service in Liverpool and Sefton. These additions enable all-weather participation and allow attendees to bring warm drinks from home, easing financial strain and boosting engagement. By removing barriers, a more welcoming and supportive environment has been created for new mothers to make new connections, share experiences and improve their wellbeing.
“Sometimes the walk would end at a café, some mums would sit without a drink. When we handed out the insulated cups, the mums were genuinely overwhelmed. We explained they were gifted by Mersey Cares, and they were absolutely made up.”
Bringing art and crafts to Carer’s Cafes
We are proud to have funded arts and crafts materials so carers can take part in a range of therapeutic and creative arts and crafts activities when they attend 'Carers Cafés' at venues throughout Cheshire and Merseyside. These cafés run by the Mersey Care Carer Engagement Team give unpaid carers the opportunity to connect with others sharing similar experiences, take valuable time for themselves, and access helpful information and advice to support them in their caring role. Carers can take part in crystal art, glass painting, mindfulness colouring and memory box decorating, in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment with opportunities for friendships to bloom.
ZSA Suicide Awareness Training to support those we care about
This International Day of Friendship, we're highlighting the importance of looking out for the people we care about. Through our funding of the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA), we've helped make FREE Suicide Awareness and Prevention training available to thousands of people. We have funded a number of the ZSA training courses including the redevelopment of its flagship Suicide Awareness Training, helping more people know what to do when faced with a friend, loved one, colleague or even stranger struggling with suicidal thoughts.
We're proud to have funded a six-month badminton programme that helped people from the Chinese community become more active while creating opportunities for connection and friendship. The sessions brought together more than 30 participants in a welcoming environment where they could improve their physical and mental wellbeing, reduce isolation and share a new experience with others.
Reflecting on the programme's success, Community Inclusion WorkerYan Xiao said: "After six months of badminton trial sessions, the players who participated in our group have adopted this kind of activity as a part of their life and it has brought them happiness and a new hobby.”
By helping people come together around a shared interest, initiatives like this can spark new friendships, strengthen community connections and create lasting positive change in people's lives.
Train and Talk: Building connections through boxing
Train and Talk, funded by Mersey Cares and delivered by the St Helens Recovery Team in partnership with Wildcard Amateur Boxing Club, St Helens, creates meaningful connections through shared fitness and wellbeing activities. Alongside improving physical and mental health, participants (patients in recovery as well as Mersey Care staff) are able to meet new people and build connections with others who understand their experiences.
Thank you to our supporters
The stories in this article are only possible because of the incredible support we receive from Mersey Care staff, donors, fundraisers and charity partners. Together, we’re helping to create opportunities for friendship, connection and wellbeing across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Learn more about what we’ve made possible in our latest Impact Report
Want to be part of that impact? From fundraising and volunteering to making a regular donation as a Friend of Mersey Cares, there are many ways to get involved and help us continue funding projects that really make a difference.
