A Wirral charity dedicated to supporting men’s mental health has revealed the impact of its work over the past year, with more than 150 men benefiting from its growing range of community-based services.
Mersey Mind Project has published its 2025-2026 Impact Report, highlighting what it describes as a huge year, with expanded programmes, new funding partnerships and increasing demand for its peer support services. The charity combines physical activity with peer support through initiatives including Football Therapy, Bootcamp Therapy, Cycling Therapy and The Listening Space.
According to the report, the organisation supported more than 150 men during the year, delivering over 117 sessions across 4 weekly programmes after securing 5 major grants to expand its work. Participant feedback also showed every respondent reported an improvement in their mental health after taking part in the charity’s activities.
Chairman Chris Guy said the charity’s success was about much more than statistics:- “While the numbers demonstrate our growth, our true impact is measured in conversations started, confidence rebuilt and lives changed. Every session delivered represents another opportunity for someone to realise they aren’t alone. As we look to the future, our ambition remains clear:- to reach more men, remove the stigma surrounding mental health, and ensure that support is available when it is needed most.”
The report highlights the growing need for community mental health support, noting that many men continue to struggle with loneliness, financial pressures, bereavement and relationship breakdowns while feeling unable to ask for help because of stigma. Survey results included in the report found that before joining Mersey Mind Project, more than 93% of participants rated their mental health between 1 and 3 out of 5. After engaging with the charity’s services, every participant rated their wellbeing at 4 or 5 out of 5.
1 participant, Gillo, said:- “Before I found Mersey Mind Project I felt as though my life was at a stalemate, I was overweight, unmotivated and miserable. I knew at the time that it was headed a certain way, and that I had to take action, so I did, I reached out and now? Now I’m a totally different guy, more driven and motivated than I’ve ever been. I can only thank Chris, Ed, Sam, Richie and all the other lads involved in Mersey Mind Project for that, definitely a charity worth a 2nd look if you’re struggling. It’s NEVER too late to seek help if you’re able to, trust me.”
Ray added:- “Mersey Mind Project has changed my life in ways I thought I could only ever imagine, gave me new opportunities I thought I would only ever dream about and definitely shaped the man I’ve become over the past year.”
Football Therapy remains at the heart of the charity’s work. Funded by Sport England, the programme offers free weekly sessions where football becomes a gateway to conversation, friendship and improved mental wellbeing. During the year, participants represented the charity at events including the Mental Health World Cup at Goodison Park, matches at Marine FC and a special fixture at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park.
Alongside football, The Listening Space has continued to provide informal peer-support sessions where men can simply meet over a brew without pressure to talk. The initiative has been supported through free use of the Sandbrook Centre by Magenta Living and has also secured future funding from the Medicash Foundation.
Meanwhile, Mersey Bootcamp Therapy, delivered in partnership with Wirral Strength & Fitness, combines exercise with peer support, with every participant surveyed saying they would recommend the programme to others. The charity has also expanded its Cycling Therapy sessions, encouraging men to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing while enjoying the Merseyside coastline.
The organisation was also selected as 1 of the Mayor of Wirral’s charities during 2025-2026, benefiting from a programme of fundraising events including charity football tournaments, comedy evenings, a golf day and the Mayor’s Charity Ball. Financially, the charity generated more than £53,000 during the year through funding from organisations including the National Lottery Community Fund, Sport England, Wirral CVS, Cycling UK and the Mayor’s Charity, helping ensure its services remain free to those who need them.
Participant Ryan Formston, said:- “Mersey Mind Project and its mission is to help men’s mental health is completely astonishing. I have had a major break up, including children, debt issues and a lot of anxiety. Now I have my own house, family and support network that reminds me that I’m better off here than not. I couldn’t be more thankful that the charity came into my life and set the foundations for me to rebuild my life — all of the lads are friends for life, more like family.”
Sean Stewart added:- “Mersey Mind Project has been instrumental in my journey to bettering my mental health through football therapy, bootcamp and the listening space. It has enabled me to be more open and honest to myself about my own mental health and gave me confidence to speak with others about it. The lads involved are nothing short of amazing for what they’re doing for men’s mental health and will go on to help many more men in the future.”
Looking ahead, Mersey Mind Project plans to expand all of its existing services, recruit more volunteers and trustees, build new partnerships and secure long-term funding to meet increasing demand. Through engaging men in sport, activities and connection, the charity is bridging the gap, ending the stigma and focusing on early intervention before crisis.
To get involved in Mersey Mind Project´s free activities or to donate visit the website or call:- 0151 662 0940
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