The grounds were a sea of school uniforms long before the first speaker took the stage. Students from many schools came together for our mental health festival: a day built around one simple idea, that young people should be able to talk about how they feel without fear or shame.
The programme mixed performance with conversation. Drama groups acted out everyday pressures, from exam stress to arguments at home. Poets and musicians shared original pieces. Between each act, our peer educators invited the audience to respond, and hands went up all over the field.
"I thought I was the only one who felt like this. Today I saw that I am not alone."
Why festivals work
For many young people, a classroom is not the easiest place to admit they are struggling. A festival changes the atmosphere. When a friend on stage describes the same worries you have, it becomes easier to say "me too". That is the heart of our Play For Your Mind pillar: using culture, creativity and fun to open doors that lectures often keep closed.
What happens next
A festival is a beginning, not an end. Our team collected the names of students who asked for follow-up conversations, and the schools that took part will receive visits from our Nurturing Minds team over the coming term.
Thank you to every teacher, volunteer and partner who made the day possible, and to every young person who was brave enough to speak up.
