This week, our school has been celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, with this year’s theme: “This is My Place.”
The theme encouraged children to think about belonging—what it means, why it matters, and where in their lives they feel truly valued and accepted.
Understanding Belonging
Throughout the week, pupils explored the idea that belonging is more than just being present in a group or a place. It is the feeling of being:
- A valued part of something,
- Cared for,
- Included, and Comfortable to be themselves.
Teachers led discussions about the different ways we know we belong—whether through friendships, family, classrooms, clubs, or the places that make us feel safe and happy. Children shared wonderful ideas about the people and environments that help them feel supported and confident.
Creating Personal ‘Belonging Maps’
To help children explore their own sense of belonging, each child created a personal map. These maps were unique to every pupil and included:
- Special places they feel connected to,
- Groups or communities they are part of,
- Activities that make them feel accepted,
- And even non‑physical spaces—such as a feeling, memory, or moment where they feel they truly ‘fit’.
This activity encouraged children to reflect on what makes them feel secure and valued, as well as celebrating the diverse and personal ways we all find our place in the world.
