During the summit, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined young people as they participated in a series of workshops run by The Mix and National Citizen Service. The workshops were focused on emotions, relationships, and community action.
The Princess of Wales wore a pair of gold-plated star-shaped earrings gifted to her by Sarah Renton, a Maidenhead Rugby Club coach whom she met in June. The earrings were designed by Phipps’ cousin and owner of EarSass, Sophie McGown, and were named “Issy Star.” in honor of Sarah’s daughter — Isobelle Phipps, 17 — who died by suicide earlier this year. The proceeds from the jewelry purchase are donated to the mental health charity Brave Minds.
Help the Princess of Wales support Brave Minds by purchasing your earrings here.
On October 11, 2023, The Princess of Wales visited Nottingham Trent University to learn about the mental health support provided to students at the beginning of the new academic year. She had the opportunity to meet with students and colleagues who help students with their mental health at a Freshers Fayre-style exhibition, followed by participating in well-being sessions. During the sessions, The Princess discussed with three students about peer-to-peer mentoring, which is a way of supporting each other at the University. She also participated in the ‘step in circle,’ part of the University’s “Welcome Workshop,” which encourages students to share experiences to help them build confidence, proactively manage their well-being, and raise awareness of the wide range of available support networks.
Moreover, The Princess learned about how Nottingham University uses data derived from student behavior to identify those who may not be thriving. They use a dashboard to manage student engagement in courses, and when a student stops engaging, it can indicate issues with their mental well-being. The University reaches out to such students to learn about their disengagement and help them find appropriate support. The information is also given to the student to help them manage their learning and is used for personalized support and tutorial discussions with staff.
On October 12, 2023, The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a mental fitness workshop at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. The workshop was organized by SportsAid, a charity supported by The Princess since 2013. The workshop was held in collaboration with BelievePerform. It helps young people and their families manage their mental well-being and build the skills needed for a happy and healthy life. During the visit, The Prince and Princess participated in sessions with young athletes and parents to see the support provided by SportsAid in building mental fitness. In the sessions, they also joined SportsAid ambassadors, including Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and netball player Ama Agbeze. The couple also took part in two practical sessions with young athletes to build mental resilience, including playing a game of goalball, a visually impaired Paralympic sport.
GALLERY LINKS:
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 10 | World Mental Health Day – Factory Works
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 11 | World Mental Health Day – Nottingham Trent University
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 12 | SportsAid At Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre