From Welsh Cakes to Cornish Pasties: MHM Wales’ Celebration of Culture, Connection & Community!

At MHM Wales, we love a good reason to come together, share great food, and celebrate the amazing diversity within our team. Inspired by our Lunar New Year team-building event, we decided to keep the celebrations going with another fun-filled lunch, this time honouring three legendary saints—each representing a distinct cultural identity and the heritage of our team:

Dewi Sant (Cymru) – 1af Mawrth (Saint David (Wales) – 1st March)

The patron saint of Wales, symbolising community, kindness, and national pride.

Sen Perran (Kernow) – 5 Mis Meurth (Saint Piran (Cornwall) – 5th March)

The patron saint of Cornwall, representing resilience, tradition, and the region’s strong mining heritage.

Naomh Pádraig (Éire) – 17 Márta (Saint Patrick (Ireland) 17th March)

The patron saint of Ireland, known for bringing people together and championing faith, unity, and storytelling.

Bringing a Taste of Wales, Cornwall & Ireland to the Table

No celebration is complete without good food, and the team certainly didn’t disappoint! A huge shoutout to everyone who contributed, making this one of our tastiest team gatherings yet:

✔ Tayto crisps, Kimberly biscuits & Guinness Zero – all the way from Ireland, generously brought in by our Finance Manager, giving us an authentic taste of Irish tradition (with none of the hangover!).

✔ Welsh Cakes – made by none other than our CEO (we’re convinced he could sell these!).

✔ Bara Brith & Cornish Pasties – brought in by the Talking Connections team, giving us a perfect mix of sweet and savoury treats and a true taste of Welsh and Cornish tradition.

✔ Corned Beef Pie – because nothing says comfort food like a homemade classic! thanks to the IPA Service

✔ Soda Bread – freshly baked by the Wellbeing Services team, this hearty Irish favourite added the perfect traditional touch to the table.

✔ Laverbread – a traditional Welsh delicacy made from edible seaweed, once known as “the Welshman’s caviar.” Rich in nutrients and typically served with bacon and cockles, it’s a bold taste of authentic Welsh heritage.

✔ Cakes & Scones – brought in by the Advocacy team, sparking the age-old jam vs. cream debate. Naturally, we embraced the Cornish way – jam first, then cream, just as it should be!

Fun, Laughter & A Few Surprises!

It wasn’t just about the food – our Talking Connections team brought their A-game with a Welsh, Irish & Cornish quiz, giving us plenty of laughs, heated debates, and some surprising facts—like the revelation that bourbon whiskey has Welsh roots. Early distillers in Kentucky included Welsh settlers, whose influence helped shape the spirit that would go on to become an American classic.

And to top it all off, everyone left with a goodie bag filled with:

🎁 A handcrafted Welsh dragon trinket – symbolising our passion, pride, and the enduring spirit of Wales.

🍀 An Irish shamrock keyring – bringing a little luck to our daily lives.

🏴 A mini Cornish flag – proudly celebrating Cornwall’s unique cultural identity and connection to our team’s heritage.

The Role of Food in Wellbeing & Connection

Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a way to connect, share stories, and strengthen community. Sitting together, sharing homemade and traditional dishes, and learning about each other’s heritage created a sense of belonging and appreciation.

This lunch highlighted how something as simple as a meal can bring people together, just like our work in mental health and advocacy does every day. Research shows that eating together can reduce stress, improve wellbeing, and strengthen social bonds—core values that drive our mission at MHM Wales.

Looking Ahead: More Cultural Celebrations to Come!

We had such a fantastic time that we’re doing it all over again – but this time, with Easter & Sri Lankan New Year!

🌸 Easter Fun

Expect chocolate treats, games, and eggcellent surprises (we had to go there!).

🎉 Sri Lankan New Year (Aluth Avurudda)

A joyful celebration of new beginnings, featuring traditional games, food, and cultural activities. It’s a chance for our team to learn more about this vibrant festival and its focus on family, prosperity, and unity.

Why this Matters ?

Our celebration of Welsh, Cornish, and Irish culture doesn’t just reflect the spirit of our team it also supports our wider commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Events like these align with the values of the Diverse Cymru Cultural Competence Certification Scheme, which encourages organisations to embrace cultural understanding and equity in the workplace.

By celebrating heritage and creating space for meaningful cultural exchange, we’re taking active steps toward building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of the communities we support.

This also echoes our responsibilities under key Welsh legislation, including the Equality Act 2010, and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015—all of which place importance on dignity, equity, and the celebration of diversity in all its forms.

A Big Thank You!

To everyone who joined in, cooked, quizzed, laughed, and shared their culture with us – we appreciate you! MHM Wales is more than just a workplace, it’s a community, and events like these remind us how stronger we are together.