Charities, groups, businesses and individuals are this month (June 2026) being invited to share events and activities on or around July’s Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day in our free Social Connectedness Guide.
We’re working to make Southampton a mental health friendly city, and are encouraging anyone hosting an event, or with existing activities, to get involved.
Social Connectedness Guide
Our Board of Trustees’ Chair, Sue Hayward, who is also a Mental Health Educator and Trainer, explains: “We’re inviting anyone planning something in Southampton for Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day on July 8, which we’re coordinating, to share it with us so we can include it in our online Social Connectedness Guide.
“This could be a one-off event for the day, something taking place during that week, or even a regular activity that has always been planned that brings people together and helps strengthen connections.
Find opportunities to connect
“Our aim is to build a clear and accessible guide that helps residents and people working in the city easily find opportunities to connect, take part and support their wellbeing.”
All submitted events will be included in our Guide, which is designed to help people easily discover what is happening across Southampton and encourage greater participation, boosting social connectedness on and around the day, and beyond.
Supporting good mental health
Sue adds: “Social connection plays an important role in supporting good mental health. By bringing together everything that’s happening across the city, we hope to make it easier than ever for people to get involved and feel part of their community.
“We know there is already so much fantastic work taking place across Southampton to boost social connectedness and this is a great opportunity to showcase it while encouraging even more people to take part.”
How to add an event
Those wishing to add an event to our Guide for free can complete our online form here. Alternatively, you can email us via smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
How to join in
As part of the countdown to July 8, we also have a free downloadable posters, social media graphics, logos and other promotional materials to help charities, groups, businesses and individuals raise awareness across the city of the Social Connectedness Guide and Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day.
Free marketing resources can be downloaded here.
Who’s already involved
A wide variety of citywide organisations are already involved with Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day. They include:
- Southampton City Council (SCC)
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight (HIOW) NHS Healthcare Trust
- Southampton Voluntary Service (SVS)
- KvLS Mental Health Support
- The Probation Service
- Solent Mind
- Communicare in Southampton
Thank you
Photo taken with thanks to Tim Kenyon Photography and Solent Mind’s Mayfield Garden Centre for providing the venue.