International Day of Happiness: 5 ways you can support Mersey Cares and spread happiness today

Every year on 20 March, the world marks the UN International Day of Happiness

It serves as a reminder that wellbeing, kindness, and connection truly matter and have the power to make our communities brighter, healthier, and more compassionate.

We’re proud to support service users, patients, and staff in meaningful ways, funding the extras across Mersey Care that often fall outside of NHS provision. These projects, made possible only through the compassion, generosity, and involvement of our supporters, directly enhance mental health and wellbeing and can help life feel that little bit brighter for the people we care for.

Want to help us build a kinder, more connected community? 

Here are some meaningful ways you can support Mersey Cares and people across our communities to live happier, healthier lives - plus 10 little things to spread happiness everyday!

1. Share a little kindness – in any way you can!

Not all support of a charity needs to be through a donation or a fundraiser. You can help us to spread the word about what we’re doing by sharing one of our posts to raise awareness.

The more people who know about our work and how we are supporting our communities, the more we can do and the more impact we can have (read our latest impact report!).

We’re trying to build up our social media following – so please give us a follow!

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X

2. Help us create chocolate-y smiles by supporting our Easter Egg Appeal

Easter is just two weeks away, and our Easter Appeal to support children in care has only ONE WEEK left! We’re asking for your help to spread a little joy to children in care who are accessing our services.

For just £1.50, you can choose an Easter egg online, or you can drop one off at any Mersey Care collection point. Every donation helps us make sure each child receives an egg, a small gesture that can help them feel special, valued, and remembered this Easter.

Find all the details here: Mersey Cares Easter Egg Appeal 2026 - Supporting Children in Care :: Mersey Care Charity

3.  Fundraise with friends

Turn something you enjoy into something that creates change! A bake sale, a sponsored walk, or a workplace activity. Happiness grows when it’s shared! A shout out to Martha who made bracelets and cupcakes for her school enterprise day and Linda who had a plan to fundraise with jam! We guarantee it will make you feel happy inside.

Drop us a line and we can support you all the way: charity@merseycare.nhs.uk

4. Take on a Mersey Cares organised fundraiser

Not only are our organised Mersey Cares fundraising events brilliant for boosting your own health and wellbeing, but they’re also packed with excitement and adventure. Every step, stride, or jump helps us do incredible things to support our services.

We’re currently looking for people to join us for the following:

• Mersey Tunnel 10k (12 April)
• Sky Dive for Mental Health Awareness Week (16 May)
• Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (6 June)

5. Make a donation

Every contribution, big or small, helps us reach more people who need support. Your generosity creates moments of connection, comfort, and happiness throughout the year — and it enables us to make a real difference across our mental health and community services.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to deliver some truly amazing projects for service users, patients, and staff. These include a lending library filled with resources for people living with dementia, support groups and activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing, specialist equipment for children’s therapy sessions, healthy‑eating courses to aid recovery, and transformed outdoor spaces that provide therapeutic environments for service users and our hardworking NHS staff. Read more here in our Impact Report

Donate :: Mersey Care Charity

Become a Friend of Mersey Cares

10 more ways to spread happiness - today and everyday!

Happiness goes both ways! Doing a kind thing for someone else, can make us feel wonderfully happy too.

1. Smile at someone -- it’s contagious and costs nothing – and you may just turn someone’s day around.
2. Give a genuine compliment to a colleague, friend, or stranger. Who doesn’t like hearing something positive about themselves?
3. Check in on someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Getting a ‘hello’ out of the blue can be a wonderful surprise.
4. Send a thank‑you note to someone who’s helped you. We often don’t say thanks enough – and how nice is it to receive a note?! Email, text, scrap of paper – it doesn't matter!
5. Share a positive story or uplifting moment with family, friends, or even a stranger! In a world that feels a little heavy at the moment – a positive tale can remind us of all the good out there.
6. Offer to help someone with a task they’re struggling with. A little bit of support can go a long way.
7. Share treats  – this is always a good way to bring the smiles! Whether you’re heading to the office or have a playdate booked in with the kids, arriving with a few choice goodies is sure to be a winner.
8. Practice active listening — give someone your full attention without interrupting. Feeling listened to can have a surprising impact on someone’s happiness as they feel seen, valued and understood.
9. Share a good book, podcast, or playlist that makes you feel happy. A good recommendation can offer an emotional escape, boost mood and reduce mental overload.
10. Show gratitude every day — tell people why they matter and the many ways they make you feel happier.  

Thank you for making a difference this International Day of Happiness!