Building the Joy Machine
What gives you joy?
When Joy’s doors open in Summer 2026 the important work of creating meaningful connection and developing better ways of working and living begins. Together. But before then, the Open Door team are setting about laying the foundations for Joy.
In September we were at the British Science Festival in Liverpool. In Liverpool One’s Peter Square we got help building our Joy Machine. Hundreds of people took the time to add their ideas to the machine. The Joy Machine is fuelled by the question ‘What gives you Joy?’
Sign up to the Joy Bulletin for the latest
In the spirit of the festival, there is joyous science behind simply thinking about what makes you happy. When you pause to remember things that bring you joy – for our friends at the British Science Festival it was everything from silence to skydiving, Tranmere Rovers to Chappell Roan, photography to sharing music – you’re actually giving your brain a little workout.
Positive emotions fire up your reward pathways, spark creativity, and even help you bounce back from stress faster (cheers, neuroplasticity!). We broaden our thinking and build resilience over time. Plus, it beats your brain’s bad habit of focusing on the negative.
And now the Joy Machine can help you. From the start of November you’ll see what brings people Joy. The Joy Machine board will be outside our new home the Old Treasury Annexe on Cleveland Street, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. Take away some ideas, get thinking of what brings you joy, be part of it.
Keep your eye on more updates on the Joy Machine in the future.