A hospice, two schools, a bowling group, residents’ association, Linnets Football Club, Spike Island and Widnes Canal Restoration Group and a community choir are among the organisations in Halton benefiting from the 2026 Mersey Gateway Time Bank initiative.
Time Bank enables Merseylink and Merseyflow to demonstrate their commitment to the local community by providing practical help and support to charities and community groups across Halton.
The innovative scheme allocates 30 days of support each year and has been running since 2014. During that time, it has delivered more than 20,000 hours of support to a wide range of projects across Runcorn and Widnes. The programme offers the time, expertise and resources of Merseylink and Merseyflow staff, providing successful applicants with valuable support that delivers long-lasting benefits for communities across Halton.
One project saw volunteers conduct a clean-up of Carter House Bridge and surrounding areas, coordinated by the Spike Island and Widnes Canal Restoration Group and the Sankey Canal Restoration Society. The work included litter picking, weeding and general cleaning. Their efforts have given the area a fresh, tidy appearance, creating a more welcoming environment and helping local wildlife thrive throughout the summer.
Another project took place at Halton Haven Hospice, where the team worked hard to tidy up the main garden area. Their efforts helped prepare the grounds for the hospice's upcoming Tea at Three event on 22 August, ensuring the outdoor spaces are welcoming and enjoyable for guests.
Tina Robinson, Fundraising Manager at Halton Haven Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all the project volunteers who have so generously given their time to support Halton Haven Hospice. Their hard work caring for our garden areas has made a real difference to these much-loved spaces.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the teams from Merseyflow, Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and Tarmac for everything they have done for us through the Time Bank initiative.”
Karen Atherton, Merseylink Network Steward and Time Bank Lead, said: "Time Bank is focused on creating lasting benefits for people and communities across Halton, and we are delighted to be supporting such worthy causes."
Liam Geoghegan, General Manager for Merseylink, said: “Time Bank is all about supporting the people and places that make Halton special. It has been fantastic to help local groups this year, and we look forward to supporting even more in 2027.”
Jade Koo, HR Manager at Merseyflow, said: "Collaborating with Merseylink on the Time Bank initiative has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our employees. Taking part in these community challenges has strengthened our partnership projects, while supporting Halton Haven Hospice has given us a meaningful opportunity to help people in need within the local community."
Image: Teams from Merseylink, Tarmac, Merseyflow and Mersey Gateway Crossings Board revitalising Farnworth Primary School’s Quiet Garden by painting and staining benches and the gazebo, creating a calm space for children.
