Supporting children and young people through creativity, care and connection
From providing comfort items and gifts to funding innovative creative projects, Mersey Cares continues to work alongside teams across Mersey Care to help children and young people feel supported, valued and heard.
Over recent years, the charity has partnered with Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) and Children in Care teams to fund projects and appeals that make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.
Providing support when it matters most
Sometimes, that support comes through resources that help children understand and express difficult emotions, including educational materials, books and therapeutic tools.
The charity has funded worry bears to support conversations between children and their parents or carers, as well as books designed to help young people navigate important life stages, including puberty and growing up.
For some young people, practical support can have an equally significant impact.
Through the charity's Give a Gift to a Child in Care Appeal, donations help provide essential items for children entering care, many of whom arrive with very few personal belongings. Gifts such as toiletries, pyjamas, slippers and dressing gowns can help provide comfort and dignity during a difficult time.
The appeal also supports birthday celebrations, helping to mark significant milestones, and provides practical household items, such as kettles and toasters, for young people moving into independent living.
Bringing joy throughout the year
Mersey Cares' seasonal appeals continue to bring smiles to children and young people across our services.
Last year, more than 500 gifts were donated through the charity's Secret Santa Appeal, helping to ensure children accessing our services experienced the magic of Christmas. Following its success, the charity launched an Easter Egg Appeal, which delivered more than 500 Easter eggs to teams and services across the Trust.
These initiatives may seem like small gestures, but they send an important message to children and young people: that they are cared about and remembered.
Celebrating creativity and self-expression
Creativity can play a powerful role in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
At Knowsley CAMHS, charity funding has enabled children's artwork created during art therapy sessions to be professionally framed and displayed throughout clinic spaces.
The permanent displays not only brighten the environment but also give young people the opportunity to see their achievements celebrated.
Sarah Quinn, Art and Trauma Therapist at Mersey Care, said:
"The charity funds have enabled children's artwork to be displayed in the corridors using picture frames that are hung professionally by Estates. The artwork not only helps to improve how the space looks, those children taking part feel an immense sense of pride that their artwork can be seen. This helps to improve their confidence and self-esteem."
Creative Connections: new opportunities through Culture 26
Building on this commitment to creativity and wellbeing, Mersey Cares has recently partnered with Halton CYPMHS to deliver an exciting new programme of creative workshops.
Towards the end of last year, colleagues from Halton CYPMHS approached the charity for support in applying for a Culture 26 Aspire Grant through Cultivate Halton. Working together, a successful application was submitted, with Mersey Care NHS Charity becoming one of a small number of projects awarded funding through the programme.
The grant has funded Creative Connections, a series of monthly workshops designed to bring together service users, staff and local communities through arts and creativity.
Children and young people attending the sessions have had the opportunity to explore different art forms, develop their creativity, build confidence and discover new ways of expressing themselves, while enjoying the therapeutic benefits that creative activities can provide.
Workshops delivered so far have included:
- A Sound Walk exploring creativity through listening and observation
- Clay modelling and sculpture making
- Book folding workshops creating artistic sculptures
- Storytelling through movement
- An upcoming music workshop
The programme reflects the growing recognition of the important role that culture, arts and creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and social connection.
Going the extra mile
The charity's work would not be possible without the dedication of colleagues across CYPMHS and Children in Care services, many of whom have gone above and beyond to raise funds and awareness.
From taking part in the Liverpool Santa Dash and Liverpool Half Marathon to tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, staff have demonstrated an incredible commitment to improving opportunities for the children and young people they support.
Colleagues have also played a key role in promoting and supporting the charity's appeals, helping to maximise donations and ensure gifts reach those who need them most.
As these projects continue to grow, one thing remains clear: through partnership, creativity and compassion, we can continue to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people across our communities. 💚