WIRRAL men’s mental health charity Mersey Mind Project has received a Highly Commended Award at the prestigious BBC Make A Difference Awards - recognition of the remarkable impact the organisation is having on men across the Region.

The accolade is another major milestone for Mersey Mind Project, which has grown rapidly since launching in 2025 and is helping tackle loneliness, isolation and poor mental health through sport, friendship and peer support. The BBC Make A Difference Awards celebrate inspirational people and organisations making a genuine difference within their communities, and Mersey Mind Project’s recognition comes after a hugely significant period for the Wirral charity.

Its recently published 2025–2026 Impact Report revealed that more than 150 men were supported during the year, with over 117 sessions delivered across 4 weekly programmes. Perhaps most significantly, every participant who responded to the charity’s survey reported an improvement in their mental health after getting involved.

Rather than relying on a traditional clinical setting, Mersey Mind Project creates environments where men can connect naturally, make friends and talk when they feel ready. Its initiatives include Mersey Football Therapy, Mersey Bootcamp Therapy, Cycling Therapy and The Listening Space, with activities designed to provide men with somewhere welcoming and non-judgemental to turn.

Football has been particularly important to the project. Free sessions use the game as a gateway to friendship and conversation, helping men who may not otherwise feel comfortable attending a conventional mental health support group. The approach has proved so successful on the Wirral that Mersey Mind Project recently expanded Mersey Football Therapy into Liverpool, launching free weekly sessions at Marine FC.

The Listening Space offers something different again — an informal environment where men can meet over a brew, spend time with others and talk without any pressure to disclose what they are going through. Bootcamp and cycling sessions meanwhile combine the physical benefits of exercise with the sense of belonging and camaraderie that sits at the heart of the charity.

Mersey Mind Project’s Chris Guy said:- “It felt amazing receiving the Highly Commended Award and it shows how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. We take great pride in what we do and the testimonials have been profound. Before joining the project, more than 93% of participants surveyed rated their mental health between 1 and 3 out of 5. Following their involvement, every respondent rated their wellbeing at 4 or 5 out of 5.”

But behind those figures are individual men whose lives have changed. 1 participant, Ray, described the impact simply:- “Mersey Mind Project has changed my life in ways I thought I could only ever imagine.” Others have spoken about finding friendship, confidence and a support network after experiencing challenges including relationship breakdown, debt, anxiety and isolation.

It is this ability to reach men before they reach crisis point that has become central to Mersey Mind Project’s mission. Chris Guy summed up the organisation’s philosophy following the publication of its Impact Report:- “While the numbers demonstrate our growth, our true impact is measured in conversations started, confidence rebuilt and lives changed.”

The BBC Make A Difference recognition follows an extraordinary period for the young charity. Mersey Mind Project secured 5 major grants during 2025–2026 and generated more than £53,000 in funding, enabling its activities to remain free for the men who need them. The organisation was also selected as 1 of the Mayor of Wirral’s charities for 2025–2026 and has developed partnerships with organisations across the Region.

Its football team also took part in the 2026 Mental Health World Cup at Goodison Park — an event which brought organisations together to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. Now its reach is growing beyond the Wirral, with the expansion of Football Therapy into Liverpool providing another opportunity for men to improve their wellbeing while building friendships and becoming part of a supportive community.

Receiving a Highly Commended Award at the BBC Make A Difference Awards is fitting recognition for a charity that has achieved a great deal in a short space of time — but Mersey Mind Project is already looking towards what comes next. Plans include expanding existing services, recruiting additional volunteers and trustees, creating new partnerships and securing the long-term funding needed to reach even more men.

To get involved in Mersey Mind Project´s free activities or to donate, visit this website or call:- 0151 662 0940

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