William and Kate visit wellbeing projects for Mental Health Awareness Week
William and Kate’s first stop was The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have marked Mental Health Awareness Week by spending the day in Wolverhampton to learn about projects supporting the wellbeing of the city’s young people.
William and Kate’s first stop was The Way Youth Zone, an organisation that provides sports, arts and recreation activities for youngsters every night of the week.
Those who come through its city centre doors are also offered advice and support on health and wellbeing, life skills and independent living, and can explore different foods and learn to budget in the training kitchen.
The royal couple shared a video on Twitter from their visit:
The duke and duchess joined a group of young people from The Way, Moreton School and Long Knowle Primary School during a wellbeing session with pupils, and met a group of HeadStart ambassadors.
They also took part in table tennis, football, archery and plant-potting sessions with youngsters.
HeadStart is a programme designed to improve the resilience and emotional wellbeing of children and young people by giving them the skills they need to address the challenges of modern life.
Kush Patel, Children's Innovation Lead at the Wolverhampton Council, spoke to the couple about the programme.
"I was honoured to meet Their Royal Highnesses and have the opportunity to discuss with them the vital role that HeadStart is playing in supporting our city's children and young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing," she said.
"Our young ambassadors were also thrilled to meet The Duke and Duchess and take part in activities with them during their visit."
Carla Priddon, CEO of The Way, told the Cambridges about how the youth zone is helping children and young people to improve their mental health.
She said: "It was a privilege to show The Duke and Duchess around and to enable them to take part in a mind-mapping activity with the young people and to help plant fruit and vegetables in our garden."
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and this year’s theme is the role nature can play in improving psychological wellbeing.
