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NottAlone LIVE returns for its third year, bringing two exciting mental health and wellbeing events for young people in Nottinghamshire during Children’s Mental Health Week.

More than 500 children and young people from schools across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are expected to attend the free NottAlone Live events, which will promote positive mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. 

Each event will host main stages to showcase local talent and inspiring talks, hold workshops for the children to take part in, and local mental health and wellbeing services will offer activities and provide information about how they can support young people.

The events will take place at the YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark on 4 and 5 February. 

Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes place between 3 – 9 February, celebrates a new theme each year, with the 2025 theme being ‘Know yourself. Grow yourself.’

This theme is being carried throughout the NottAlone Live events, with workshops that engage emotions through art, promote self-expression through music and rap, and empower young people to develop healthy relationships and navigate friendships while staying true to who they are.

Dr Orlaith Green, NottAlone co-founder, Principal Educational Psychologist and Group Manager, Psychology and Inclusion Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of the journey NottAlone has taken over the years and the impact it has had in supporting young people with their mental health and wellbeing.

“NottAlone LIVE plays a key part in that journey. The events are a real highlight for us as it brings everything that NottAlone is about to life. Seeing the young people engage in the workshops, enjoy performances, chat to local support services, and share tips on how to manage their mental health with each other is fantastic.

“With mental health difficulties affecting more young people than ever before, we want them to know that they are not alone. Support is available, and NottAlone is here to help them to find the right support at the right time.

“A visit to the NottAlone website will give information and advice on mental health topics, as well as connect them to a variety of support services which are all free to access. It’s a vital resource for not just young people, but also professionals, parents, and carers in providing guidance on how to support the young people in their lives.”

Dr Maddi Popoola, NottAlone co-founder, Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Support Team Service Manager at Nottingham City Council, said:

“I’m thrilled that NottAlone LIVE is back for its third year! Each year this event has grown and evolved, and it’s incredibly rewarding seeing the difference it helps to make to the lives of children and young people across the city and county.

“Feedback from previous years has been really positive, and our team is excited to return - we’ve got a great line up of local performers and workshops designed to help empower young people to talk about their feelings, reach out for support whenever they need it and remind them that it’s ok not to be ok.”

Places at the invitation-only events were snapped up quickly, with schools fully booking within days of the bookings opening.

The NottAlone Live events will be hosted by NottAlone in collaboration with the Mental Health Support Teams at Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

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 by visiting the website www.NottAlone.org.uk or follow us on social media by searching for @NottAlone1 on X and Instagram, @WeAreNottAlone on Facebook and @NottAlone on TikTok.

Watch the video from 2024 to get an idea of what NottAlone is all about: www.NottAlone.org.uk/nottalonelive