NottAlone live events welcomed hundreds of local young people who took part in workshops, watched performances by talented local artists across Nottinghamshire
Children and young people from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire participated in two mental health events during Children’s Mental Health Week.
The week ran from February 5-11, and showcased local talent while encouraging young people to use their voices.
The NottAlone Live events welcomed hundreds of local young people who participated in workshops, watched performances by talented local artists, and connected with mental health service providers.
Nine-year-old Preston said he’d learned the importance of vocalising concerns: "I learned that if something’s wrong, you need to use your voice to tell people what’s the matter because if you keep it inside your body and not tell anyone, it will get worse."
Among the line-up of local talent performing on stage at the two events was the young rock band Romy and the RHADs, comprised of band members Romy, Alistair, Dominic and Hayden aged between 14-16 years.
Reflecting on their first-ever live shows at the NottAlone Live events, bass player Dominic, 16, said he felt encouraged by how many young people had voiced enthusiasm for their music.
"It’s just great to be a role model for some young children that have never even seen live music before,” said Dominic.
The theme of Children’s Mental Health Week, "my voice matters," resonated with fourteen-year-old Romy, the band's lead singer and guitarist, who said: “It’s just about making sure everyone feels like they’re heard, no matter what situation you’re in.”
Joanny, 14, who spoke on stage with the Nottingham Girls Academy Equalities Group, said: “I think we need to be listened to and we need to be invited to events like these more because we get a chance to say the things that we want to be heard.
“We’ve spoken in front of an audience, shared our stories and given our opinions on the current mental health situation and what we think could be done to improve it and make it better for young people.”
The NottAlone co-founders developed the NottAlone Live events to help engage young people in conversations around mental health as well as present an opportunity for them to meet local providers of mental health services and understand the support available to them.
Dr Maddi Popoola, NottAlone co-founder, Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Support Team Service Manager at Nottingham City Council, said:
“These events are basically the NottAlone website, but ‘live’, so it’s the idea that children and young people see more than just the services available to them through webpages at the events.
They can actually come and speak to those services in person, so they’ve got that real in-depth understanding of what the community offer is in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”
Dr Orlaith Green, NottAlone co-founder, Principal Educational Psychologist and Group Manager, Psychology and Inclusion Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Maddi got in touch and said she had a mad idea and I immediately said yes before I even knew what it was - we talked about the idea of a NottAlone event and we said, ‘imagine if young people could meet NottAlone in person.’
“The thing that I’ve been really excited about seeing at these events is young people telling other young people what helps them and what promotes positive mental health, I think that’s really powerful to see.”
Dr Popoola added: “It’s been amazing to see it all come to life and it’s actually quite emotional, to know that all these young people are learning about their mental health and benefitting from these events is really special. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making these events happen.
“If we want young people to take one thing away from these events, it’s that you are not alone. You can access help and support online, by text, in person, email, by phone on NottAlone.org.uk.
“There are people that will listen and can help you.”
NottAlone is a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.
Find out more about NottAlone on the website www.NottAlone.org.uk or follow on social media by searching for @NottAlone1 on X or Instagram.
The NottAlone Live events were hosted by NottAlone in collaboration with the Mental Health Support Teams at Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
