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Children’s Mental Health Week 2026
We began each session by asking everyone to reflect on what “This is my place” means to you, and encouraging everyone to think beyond a physical space.
For many, it was home. For others, a football pitch. A mosque, a grandparent’s house, reading in a favourite corner, a classroom, being in water.
“Somewhere where you feel safe, welcome, can be yourself and have your own personal space.”
“Our class think that ‘my place’ is somewhere that feels like home… somewhere you belong… somewhere you have made memories.”
Very quickly, pupils demonstrated that “place” is emotional, there’s a relationship to it. We built on this through Tamara’s story and the discussions throughout.
Curiosity and compassion
The Human Connection method in action
Using our immersive globe, students travelled to Amsterdam to meet Tamara - a mother whose life changed suddenly following a brain injury. She lost movement on the right side of her body and her ability to speak. Her story is focussed on her incredible positivity in rebuilding her confidence, adapting to her new norm, her passion for music, and the importance of this to her journey.
Before hearing her story, pupils explored spaces important to Tamara and the story, her practice space, her home, and outside in Amsterdam.
They noticed details carefully:
- ● “Is her chair different to everyone else’s?”
- ● “We notice lots of instruments and we wonder if they are a band?”
- ● “She looks happy and content in this space”
- ● “We think she might be a music teacher, or the lead singer of a band!”
This is part of our human connection methodology, we encounter the person and important spaces before jumping into the film. Through observation, questioning and this immersion, pupils develop empathy as a lived practice - connecting values like resilience and belonging to real human experience.
Watching Tamara’s story: resilience recognised
After watching Tamara’s story, students were invited to share the moments that stayed with them, and also what we can all learn from Tamara. Students were especially struck by the way she kept moving forward, stayed hopeful, and returned to what she loved. The moments that stayed with them most were her perseverance and positivity:
“To be accepted fully, means you can embrace life fully.”
“We think Tamara is kind, brave, joyful, resilient and determined.”
“It goes to show that mindset can change the outcome.”
“It is important to belong so you can be happy and be yourself somewhere.”
We were moved to watch the reflections stream in pupils recognising resilience in real life, shaped through purpose, community and belonging.
From reflection to responsibility
The session ended with us asking pupils why it’s important to feel like we belong, and how we can support others to feel that way. We had over 30 students come onto the microphone and share personal stories, advice, and ideas with their peers across the country.
From new joiners at schools, to overcoming obstacles at sports clubs, to encouraging everyone to include others and reserve judgment. A real wide range of contributions that will stick with us.
These endings to every live lesson are our favourite and the most inspiring. They genuinely fill us with hope. Please do join our next ones to hear them.
“Thank you so much for our Lyfta Live today! We've loved it as always 🙂”
“Thank you for such an insightful lesson! 👍”
“Thanks Lyfta Team we love Lyfta and these sessions!”
