This Is My Place: Finding a Safe Space to Belong

Children’s Mental Health Week is a vital opportunity to focus on what truly matters—the emotional well-being of the young people in our care. This year’s theme, ‘This is My Place’, invites us all to consider where we feel most comfortable and secure. For one young person in our care, it was a chance to show just how powerful a sense of belonging can be.

His story highlights why having a kind and supportive place to call home makes such a profound difference. When we talked about what belonging means and where his safe place is, his response was simple yet incredibly meaningful. He drew a picture of his care home with a huge smiley face on it. For him, it’s not just bricks and mortar; it’s a place of security and happiness.

Finding a Place to Belong

What makes a house feel like a home? For this young man, the answer was clear. Around his drawing, he wrote: “The adults take care of me and they will never leave me.” These words capture the essence of what every child needs—the certainty that there are grown-ups who will stick around and care for them. He also wrote, “I have a kind heart because I am good and kind,” showing how his environment is nurturing a positive self-image.

When we explored what makes his home his safe place, he emphasized feeling secure there. He loves all the fun activities and described the staff as caring and always available to help. This combination of fun, safety, and support is what allows children to grow, thrive, and be themselves. To make sure we understood exactly how he felt, he turned his drawing over and wrote in big letters, “I love this place,” complete with a heart. He meant every word.

Feeling safe and valued is not just a nice-to-have; it is fundamental to a child’s mental health. When children feel they belong, they are more likely to engage with others, build friendships, and develop a positive outlook on the world. It gives them the space to simply enjoy being a child.

Dreaming Big for the Future

Once a child feels secure in the present, they can start to dream about the future. We asked this young person where he sees himself in five years, and his face lit up. He wants to be playing football on a real team. His hero? The legendary Ronaldo.

When asked why he chose Ronaldo, he gave it some thought. He explained that Ronaldo is not just a great footballer but also a good team player and, most importantly, “kind.” It is wonderful to see a young person looking up to a role model who values teamwork and kindness, not just individual skill. These are the very qualities we strive to encourage in all the children we support.

For this young man, football is more than a hobby—it’s a goal that fills him with excitement for what’s ahead. Having a strong, stable base at home helps him believe he can achieve his ambitions. Our job is to continue cheering him on and supporting him, both on and off the pitch.

The Importance of a Safe Sanctuary

This young person’s story encapsulates the mission of Timeout Children’s Homes. Every child deserves a place that feels safe, cozy, and entirely their own. For children in care, who may have faced significant challenges, this is even more critical. A care home must be more than just a building—it should feel like a haven.

We work to make this a reality by:

• Providing Consistency: Just as he noted, knowing the adults are always there is what matters most.

• Creating Fun: Activities and new experiences help children build self-esteem and create happy memories.

• Being Supportive: Staff who genuinely care and help navigate life’s ups and downs can be truly transformative.

• Boosting Confidence: Helping children recognize their own positive qualities empowers them to feel strong in who they are.

Every week—not just during Children’s Mental Health Week—we want to ensure that every child we look after can say, “This is my place.” A place where they feel loved, safe, and know they belong. A place from which they can set out to chase their dreams, knowing we are right there beside them.