Small actions. Big impact. Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

Action in the community - how we're making a difference

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on Action, encouraging us to move beyond awareness and towards doing. Because positive change doesn’t always come from big gestures, it can often be the smaller, thoughtful actions that truly make a difference across our communities.

We exist to fund the 'extras' that make such a difference but often fall outside of NHS funding; the additions that have a powerful and lasting impact on the people we support. These actions help enhance care, improve experiences and support recovery in ways that truly matter to patients, families and staff.

Turning your support into impact

For families affected by dementia, this might mean funding resources for a dementia library, giving Admiral Nurses additional avenues to support families. These resources help families feel more informed, reassured and supported during incredibly challenging times.

For children and young people accessing Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services, providing art project materials creates space for creativity and self‑expression. These projects enable young people to showcase their work, feel proud of what they’ve achieved and build confidence and self‑esteem; benefits that can extend far beyond the session itself.

We also support young mothers accessing perinatal services by providing resources and accessories that encourage them to go out on walks, socialise and build stronger networks with other mums facing similar experiences. These small actions help reduce isolation, build confidence and support wellbeing at a crucial time.

Across services, we fund resources for gardening groups that support recovery, connection and routine, and cookery sessions that encourage healthier choices while boosting confidence and independence. These activities don’t just support physical health, they can help people to regain a sense of purpose and control over their lives.

Our impact extends into creating welcoming environments too. We’ve helped transform gardens for patients and staff, offering calm, restorative spaces to pause and recoup. We've supported early-onset dementia support groups and community activities such as badminton and table tennis, alongside newer initiatives like 'Train and Talk' boxing sessions, which combine physical activity with conversation to support both mental and physical wellbeing.

Supporting Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Our work also extends to support of the Zero Suicide Alliance, which includes the redevelopment of the Zero Suicide Alliance’s (ZSA) Suicide Awareness Training. This initiative is a key component of the ZSA’s comprehensive online training package and just one of three e-learning packages including Social Isolation Training and training for Healthcare Workers  we have funded to educate, empower, and raise awareness around suicide prevention. 

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters and fundraisers, we’ve achieved so much across Cheshire and Merseyside—but there is still so much more we can do, working alongside our hospitals, mental health services and incredible staff. 

Want to know more? Read about what we've made possible thanks to community support and donations - as well as our latest Impact Report that shows just how we're making a difference for service users, patients and staff across our 200+ Mersey Care sites. 

Looking ahead - what we have in the pipeline

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the many projects in development; from pet therapy and gym sessions for Mersey Care staff, to the creation of The Fern Arms pub and a retro hairdressing salon at Leigh Moss Hospital to support people living with dementia. We're also working with our corporate partners to carry out 'power projects' within the community including funding improvements to garden spaces, essential care packages for patients when they enter care and giving staff more time to focus on their wellbeing through Wellbeing Through Wildlife sessions at Knowsley Safari Park. 

Your support means so much

All of this work supports our NHS staff alongside the incredible care they already provide, helping them enhance patient care and support families in ways that are personal, meaningful, and above and beyond expectation.

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that action doesn’t have to be big to be impactful. Sometimes, it can be the smaller details. a resource, a space, a moment for connection, that make people feel valued, supported and understood.

And that’s how we're striving to help change lives — one thoughtful extra at a time.

If you'd like to support us to do more - have a read of our Mental Health Awareness Week article focusing on ways to get involved. From fundraising and donations, to signing up to our newsletter - every little helps, as they say!