This is my place – the importance of belonging
Written for children’s mental health week 2026 by Dr Seb Thompson and some of the young people within the YMCA Robin Hood Group.
At the YMCA we do not believe that belonging can be left to chance. We actively create environments that promote the conditions where belonging can thrive. This is rooted in our North Star mission statement and our values that are embedded across our services.
We believe that children and young people thrive when they feel connected to others and confident that they are welcome as they are. Creating spaces where young people feel safe, respected, and valued is fundamental to this. Belonging begins when a young person knows they will be met with consistency, kindness, and understanding.
Belonging is also closely linked to voice and inclusion. For children and young people to feel this is my place, they need to know that their views matter and that they can influence the spaces and services around them. This means listening carefully, taking young people seriously, and involving them in decisions that affect their lives wherever possible, ensuring that children and young people do not have to change who they are in order to be accepted.
Across YMCA Robin Hood Group, we strive to create environments where children and young people are not defined by their difficulties or their circumstances, but are recognised for their strengths, their individuality, and their potential. In doing so, we aim to create communities where belonging is felt, not just stated, and where young people can genuinely say, “this is my place”.
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