Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 invites us all to reflect on the importance of place: the physical and emotional spaces where young people feel safe, connected and valued. This year’s theme, “This Is My Place,” resonates strongly with our commitment to ensure every child and young person can enjoy positive experiences through physical activity and sport, no matter their background, ability or circumstance.
A sense of place isn’t just about location. It’s about belonging.
Through our work with schools, clubs and communities across Kent and Medway, we’ve seen the transformative impact of activity-based environments where children feel supported, included and able to express themselves. Research highlights that children who are more active are happier and experience fewer depressive symptoms, behavioural and emotional difficulties. Ensuring that activity spaces feel like their place is essential for supporting their mental wellbeing.
Across Kent and Medway, we’ve collaborated with schools to develop activity-based mental wellbeing pilot projects tailored to young people’s needs. These have included yoga clubs, judo sessions, sensory circuits, kickboxing and mental wellbeing breakfast clubs, each offering a safe, supportive space where students can connect, build confidence and explore movement in ways that feel comfortable for them.
Our work in secondary schools shows that when young people feel ownership of these activity spaces, their engagement and sense of belonging grow, supporting improved mood, resilience and social connection. The collated findings from our secondary school pilots show the impact, recommendations and a powerful case study of how a school’s Yoga Club boosted student wellbeing.
Young people have told us that they value activity spaces that are fun, social and pressure-free. Through our Family Hubs project and wider youth engagement work, young people have shared that they enjoy activities when they feel safe from judgement, able to try new things and supported by trusted adults. This insight helps us co-create programmes that are truly their place, from multi-sport sessions to informal activity opportunities that emphasise belonging and positive experiences.
Ways You Can Get Involved
No matter your setting, whether that’s a school, club, family hub or community group, you can help children and young people discover their place:
- By creating welcoming activity moments throughout the day, in classrooms, playgrounds, halls and community spaces.
- By encouraging young people to co-design sessions so activities feel relevant, enjoyable and owned by them.
- By sharing resources and training opportunities to help your volunteers or workforce build confidence in supporting children’s mental health.
For this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week, let’s all commit to creating more places where every young person feels they belong, because when we build environments that truly feel like their place, we give them the confidence, connection and support they need to thrive
Published: February 2026.
This blog was partly generated using AI technology. It was sense checked and reviewed by Active Kent & Medway to ensure accuracy and alignment with our mission and values.
Daniel Bromley
Children and Young People Development Officer
- Tel: 03000 417927
- Email: daniel.bromley@kent.gov.uk
"I love to play tennis and golf in the summer. The rest of the year, you'll find me coaching, refereeing or playing football."
