The Princess of Wales travelled to Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 celebrations.
Catherine, who serves as Patron of Place2Be, the UK charity behind the annual awareness week since 2015, has consistently advocated for nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing from the earliest stages of life.
This year’s theme, “This is My Place,” encourages young people to reflect on environments and relationships that provide them with feelings of safety and belonging.
The Croydon school has maintained a partnership with Place2Be spanning many years, integrating mental health support into everyday school activities through its Whole School Approach, which equips pupils and their families with tools for emotional resilience.
The Princess of Wales travelled to Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 celebrations.
|
FLICKR
Catherine commenced her visit by exploring the school’s Early Years outdoor play area, a facility made possible through funding from Deloitte, which participates in The Royal Foundation Business Task Force for Early Childhood.
The outdoor space has been constructed according to Place2Be’s therapeutic guidelines, creating an environment that fosters emotional self-regulation alongside sensory discovery and imaginative play.
During her time at the academy, the Princess engaged with pupils, their parents, teaching staff and Place2Be practitioners to observe how the school community was participating in the awareness week.
She heard firsthand accounts of how building trusting relationships, along with creative activities and play, enables children to express their feelings and develop greater self-assurance.
The outdoor space has been constructed according to Place2Be’s therapeutic guidelines, creating an environment that fosters emotional self-regulation alongside sensory discovery and imaginative play.
|
FLICKR
Catherine also spent time with parents who have personally benefited from Place2Be’s services, with some having first received support from the charity when they themselves were pupils at the school, demonstrating the enduring connection between the organisation and local families.
The Princess then made her way to the Art Studio, where she participated alongside children in the official Children’s Mental Health Week creative project, devised by The Art Room at Place2Be.
Pupils were engaged in producing “belonging maps,” an activity designed to prompt reflection on the individuals, locations and moments in their lives that contribute to their sense of security and connection with others.
The visit concluded with Catherine meeting senior figures from both Castle Hill Academy and Place2Be to examine the charity’s comprehensive approach to pupil mental health, as well as the particular difficulties experienced by children and families living in New Addington.
The Princess has long championed raising awareness about how formative the early years are for shaping future generations.
The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood released its Shaping Us Framework last year, outlining essential capabilities underpinning children’s social and emotional growth, from managing feelings and thoughts to forming relationships and exploring their surroundings.
Place2Be’s work within schools and nurseries plays a crucial role in helping families cultivate these foundational skills during childhood.