Media Release:

Kids Inspire, a leading mental health charity dedicated to supporting children and their families, is thrilled to announce its participation in Children's Mental Health Awareness Week with a campaign, centred around the theme 'My Voice Matters.'

In collaboration with local singer-songwriter Sophie Griffiths, Kids Inspire is set to release a special video featuring a chorus created by Sophie, and featuring the ‘voices’ of young people. The song aims to amplify the voices of children and adolescents. The goal is to emphasise the importance of every child's voice in shaping conversations around mental health.

Mental health awareness and support, especially among the young, is a cause that Kids Inspire has been championing for over 16 years. This year's campaign takes a creative and inclusive approach, bringing together the expressive power of music to include all. Young people, of all ages and all voices, including British Sign Language (BSL) are sharing, in their words, why their voices matter. The goal is to emphasise the importance of every child's voice in shaping conversations around mental health.

Sophie Griffiths, singer-songwriter and Kids Inspire supporter said:

“I feel incredibly honoured to have received the invite to write and perform the music for this project. The topic of mental health and well-being is one that deeply resonates with me, and I have immense admiration for the valuable work Kids Inspire does in aiding young people. If my music can empower anyone to speak out about their own mental health, that’s my job done!”

Leading Lady and Kids Inspire Patron since 2015, Ruthie Henshall, appears alongside Sophie in the film. She told us why she is committed to the Kids Inspire cause:

“There is such a deficit in mental health help for children, and I know that because I had an experience with my child, and nothing was offered to us. The work that Kids Inspire are doing gives children hope, it gives them tools and it gives them a way forward. I am 150 per cent behind them and an opportunity to support them by doing what I love was not to be missed, especially during such an important week for children’s mental health.”

Campaign Highlights

Song Release: Kids Inspire and Sophie Griffiths will release a specially written song during Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, the film that accompanies will feature the voices of multiple young people.

Visuals in BSL: The accompanying visuals aim to be inclusive of all ‘voices’. It features young people using British Sign Language and of all ages to express why their voice matters.

Social Media Campaign: Kids Inspire will launch a social media campaign encouraging young people to share their thoughts on why their voice matters in mental health discussions, using the hashtag #YourVoiceMatters.

Sue Bell OBE, CEO, Kids Inspire, expressed excitement about the upcoming campaign, stating:

"We believe in the power of every child's voice. This campaign not only provides a platform for children and young people to express themselves but also promotes inclusivity. We hope to inspire open conversations about mental health and let every child know that their voice truly matters."

The campaign kicks off on Monday 5 February and will run throughout Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, with the release of the song on social media on Wednesday 7 February.

Social Media Handles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidsinspire.org.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsinspire_uk

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KidsInspire_UK/featured

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsinspire1     

#YourVoiceMatters #ChildrensMentalHealth #InclusiveVoices

About Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual campaign run by Place2Be dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by children and young people. The week encourages open conversations, reduces stigma, and promotes the importance of early intervention for mental well-being.