More than 350 professionals, youth workers, educators and healthcare leaders gathered in Hull on Thursday 19 March for the Thrive Hull Conference 2026: Thriving Minds – Supporting Mental Health for Children and Young People in Hull.
Held across the city’s cultural and community venues, including Hull Truck Theatre and the Albemarle Centre, the full-day conference highlighted the importance of collaboration, early intervention and youth voice in supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people across Hull.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Hull’s Young Mayor, Eunice, and NHS Place Director Hull, Erica Daley, who both emphasised the need for organisations, communities and services to work together to help young people thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Delegates heard from a series of respected speakers and practitioners working at the forefront of youth mental health support. Youth mental health advocate Tanya Marwaha, founder of Championing Youth Minds, delivered a keynote address exploring cultural competency, lived experience and the intersectionality of mental health needs.
Dean Davis, Youth Work Manager at Hull City Council, spoke about the impact of youth work across the city and the importance of providing safe spaces where young people feel supported and heard.
The programme also included a powerful contribution from youth group Just Drama, who shared their own journeys and explained how drama and creative expression have supported their mental health and wellbeing.
Further presentations included Chris Klays from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, who offered practical advice on helping young people navigate the digital world safely and positively, and Luke Mitchell, who reflected on the theme of “Meeting the Generational Need” and the importance of relational practice when supporting young people.
The conference also featured a dynamic performance from the Beat Bus Rap Project, helping to set an energising tone for the day and demonstrating the positive role creativity can play in young people’s wellbeing.
Delegates also took part in two interactive breakout sessions designed to explore practical approaches to supporting mental health.
Youth voice remained at the heart of the conference. Aimee Jones, lead volunteer for the Nothing About Us Without Us Advisory Group, shared her personal journey and spoke about the importance of co-production when designing services for young people.
Volunteers, including Poppy Pacy, also supported the event, helping ensure that young people’s perspectives were reflected throughout the day.
Erica Daley, NHS Place Director Hull, said: “Supporting the mental health of children and young people is a key priority for the NHS, and it’s clear that no single organisation can do this alone. Events like the Thrive Conference highlight the power of partnership working across health, education, local authority and the voluntary sector. By listening to young people, investing in early intervention and working collaboratively, we can build a more responsive, compassionate system that meets their needs and helps them to thrive both now and in the future.”
Hull’s Young Mayor, Eunice, said: “It was great to be a part of the Thrive Conference. Events like this are so important because they bring together the people who can make a real difference to young people’s lives. It’s encouraging to see professionals, organisations and young people all in the same space, sharing ideas and learning from each other so we can build better mental health support for the future.”
Dean Davis, Youth Work Manager at Hull City Council, said: “Youth work plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of young people across Hull. By providing safe spaces, trusted relationships and opportunities to express themselves, we can help young people build confidence and resilience. Conferences like this give us the chance to learn from one another and strengthen the support we provide across the city.”
Rachel Roberts, Strategic Lead for Early Help and Prevention at Hull City Council, added: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is a key priority for Hull. The Thrive Hull Conference highlights the strength of partnership working across the city and the commitment of our services, schools, voluntary organisations and young people themselves. Through our Community Plan, we are focused on giving every child the best start in life and ensuring that young people feel heard, supported and able to thrive. It is inspiring to see so many people coming together with that shared goal.”