A local charity in Swindon, Wiltshire, has released eight practical tips for parents and carers to help children feel more connected and secure to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes place from 9 February to 15 February 2026.
The guidance from IPSUM uses the theme “This Is My Place” to encourage families to build a sense of belonging for their children at home and in the community. This year’s national week, organised by Place2Be, focuses on helping young people feel valued and safe in the places where they live and learn.
The charity recommends creative activities such as art and music to help children process emotions, particularly for those who find it difficult to talk about their feelings. Based at 13 Milton Road, Swindon, IPSUM is listed on Swindon Borough Council’s Local Offer and provides community-based creative-arts and counselling support intended as a middle tier between GP advice and specialist child and adolescent mental health services.
Julie Mattinson, director of IPSUM, said: “Creativity speaks a thousand words. And you don’t need to speak those words to feel it.” The Charity Commission records show IPSUM is registered as a CIO (charity number 1176614); the register records its CIO registration on 10 January 2018.
For more information, see IPSUM’s website (https://www.ipsum.care/) and Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week resources (https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/).
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