Blog
The Power of Belonging
Children’s Mental Health Week, led nationally by Place2Be, shines a spotlight on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across the UK.
This year’s theme, ‘This is My Place’, focuses on the importance of belonging, the sense of being seen, accepted and valued by peers, families, schools and communities. Feeling that you truly belong is a fundamental human need, and it can have lasting effects on mental and physical health, education, relationships and future opportunities.
When children feel they belong, they are empowered to participate, contribute and make a real difference in the world around them. At SmartCo Future Health, we believe that health is shaped by inclusion, connection and the environments we invite people into from childhood onwards. Belonging isn’t accidental, it’s built through everyday experiences and intentional actions.
One way we support this is by helping children explore the world of work through their parents. Workplaces can often seem distant or mysterious to children. By opening our doors to child-focused events, we make these environments feel human, accessible, and inclusive, reinforcing that everyone has a place.
Leadership reflection I’m really proud that my children are teaching me about Children’s Mental Health Week through what they are learning at school. Hearing them talk about belonging and feeling safe is a powerful reminder that the environments we create in schools, communities and workplaces really do matter.
Taja Quigley, Partner At SmartCo Future Health, creating spaces where children feel they belong isn’t optional, it’s a shared responsibility. When children know they have a place, they carry that knowledge with them for life.
Learn more about Children’s Mental Health Week here.
About SmartCo Future Health
SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
