Liverpool’s 11th Mental Health Festival for Children and Young People

More than 300 children and young people from across Merseyside took centre stage this week at the Epstein Theatre, showcasing their talents during Liverpool’s eleventh annual NOW Festival. Over the course of three evenings, audiences experienced a series of impactful performances that focused on themes relating to Mental Health and the Environment.

Damian Hart, Principal Development Manager at the Merseyside Youth Association (MYA), explained that the festival’s 2026 theme delved into the significant influence that different social, economic, and physical environments have on the mental wellbeing of children and young people. He emphasized that the youth-led performances from various schools and organisations revealed the local conditions that both negatively and positively affect mental health. Hart commented, “The pieces highlighted how inequality can shape experiences for different groups, increasing the need for mental health support, while also amplifying what children and young people themselves feel about their communities and the issues that matter most to them.”

The event coincided with Children’s Mental Health Week and was organised by MYA’s RAISE mental health promotion team, working closely alongside Liverpool’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Support Partnership, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), Liverpool Place, and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP). Jayne Cook, Advanced Public Health Practitioner (Mental Health) at Liverpool City Council, praised the festival for its role in providing a safe and supportive environment for young people to openly discuss important topics. She said, “NOW Fest is a wonderful celebration of the creativity and resilience of young people across our city… the environment reflects a key priority for us as a council – recognising how the places where young people live, learn and play shape their health, wellbeing, and future opportunities.”

Other prominent figures involved in supporting the festival also expressed their admiration. Lisa Nolan, Senior Programme Manager (Mental Health) at Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, Liverpool Place, remarked on the festival’s growth and the inspiring confidence shown by young participants. Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell highlighted the relevance of this year’s environmental focus, stating, “Year after year, NOW Fest gives young people across Merseyside an inspiring platform to speak openly about their mental health and the issues that matter most to them… This year’s focus on the environment adds a powerful new dimension, recognising how the world around us; our green spaces, our climate, our communities, has a profound impact on our wellbeing.” Similarly, Georgie Garvey, Director of Merseyside VRP, spoke about the partnership’s continued commitment to reducing violence by addressing its root causes and providing young people with safe, hopeful environments in which to flourish, noting, “NOW Fest provides a powerful platform for young people to express themselves, share their stories and inspire change.”

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