Spring Adventures with Our Youth Service: Building Confidence, Friendships and Fun

Our Cardiac Youth Service has been full of energy over the past few months, with a variety of exciting activities and events giving our young people aged 11-25 years, the opportunity to connect, build confidence, and enjoy new experiences together. With the arrival of the first sunshine of the year, it has been wonderful for them to get out and about and make the most of what the local community has to offer.

In March, Becky and Kim (our cardiac youth workers) hosted the groups very first golf event of 2026, taking over the driving range for an evening packed with golf swing practice, pizza, and plenty of laughter. For many of the young people, it was their first time trying golf, and everyone quickly got involved, encouraging one another and enjoying the challenge. It’s fair to say the young people definitely put Becky and Kim's golfing abilities to shame! The evening was a fantastic way to build confidence, friendships, and teamwork in a relaxed and supportive environment.

April brought another memorable experience as these incredible young people became “farmers for the day” during a visit to Southampton City Farm. Joining alongside the wider PEEER Youth Service, they had the opportunity to spend time with a range of animals, including grooming goats, feeding pigs, and holding chickens and guinea pigs. Guided by the fantastic farm tour guide, the group learned more about caring for animals while also experiencing the calming and therapeutic benefits that animal interaction can bring. The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of hands-on fun, giving everyone a chance to step away from daily pressures and simply enjoy being outdoors together.

As we move into May, we are excited to see that Becky and Kim are planning a return visit to Level 1 Game Café at St Mary’s Stadium. The young people are already looking forward to battling it out on the SIM racing games, darts, and pool tables in what is always a friendly and competitive atmosphere. These sessions continue to provide an important opportunity for social connection, confidence building, and a chance for young people to relax and unwind with peers who understand and support one another.

And they are certainly not stopping there. Over the coming months, Becky and Kim have many more activities and events planned, all designed to bring our young people together, encourage new friendships, reduce isolation, and offer valuable respite and support. It has been amazing to see the friendships, confidence, and sense of community continue to grow with every event, and we cannot wait to share more exciting experiences throughout the rest of the year.