Strengthening children’s mental health through creative initiatives in North East England

Kavli Trust is continuing its support for Mortal Fools. The creative theatre and learning organisation will receive NOK 3 million over three years for an ambitious project designed to strengthen the mental health and life skills of children and young people.

Through theatre and creative co-production, strengthening the adults around children, and innovative school programmes, Mortal Fools addresses the growing societal challenge of poor mental health among children and young people from several angles. At the heart of its work is the belief that creative activity builds confidence, fosters stronger relationships and helps children become more resilient.

Award-winning school programme expands reach

The organisation’s new initiative, “Creative Health – National Development”, combines award-winning digital school programmes with local delivery in schools and communities. With a focus on early intervention and prevention through creative activity, the project will reach more than 50,000 children and young people during the 2025–2027 project period.

One of the flagship initiatives is the award-winning digital school programme “Melva”, which will now be further developed and made available nationally to additional age groups. The programme combines engaging characters, interactive storytelling and practical exercises, giving children and young people both a deeper understanding of mental health and practical tools to manage their own emotions and challenges.

Support from Kavli Trust will also help build capacity among teachers and healthcare professionals through training in the use of creative approaches to strengthen children’s and young people’s mental health. This is an important part of the project’s holistic approach.

"When we strengthen the adults around children, we equip them with better tools to meet children’s needs and promote good mental health in everyday life. Investing in the skills and expertise of teachers and healthcare professionals creates significant value, both for individuals and for society," says Ingrid Paasche, CEO of Kavli Trust.

A national centre for creative health initiatives

The work is primarily focused on primary schools and local communities in North East England, with ambitions to develop sustainable creative health models that can be adapted and scaled nationally and internationally.

Mortal Fools will therefore establish a national centre for creative health initiatives in Ashington. Here, they will pilot new methods, develop training programmes and gather evidence and learning to support wider dissemination to other communities. Developing and implementing tools to measure and strengthen the impact of creative activity, both in schools and in the wider community, will be a key element of the initiative.

Through the project, Mortal Fools aims to reduce school absence and behavioural challenges, while also helping to lower demand for acute mental health services.

A long-term partnership for children

Kavli Trust has previously supported Mortal Fools’ creative work for children and young people. In 2022, the foundation awarded NOK 2 million to support the development of the “Melva” and “Future Ready” programmes.

"Mortal Fools is an innovative organisation that has developed creative and effective methods to strengthen children’s and young people’s mental health. With this support, they can reach even more beneficiaries, while also building capacity in schools and communities across North East England. This aligns closely with Kavli Trust’s strategy of supporting sustainable, preventive initiatives that deliver lasting impact," Paasche says.

Facts

• Mortal Fools is a creative theatre and learning organisation based in North East England, with extensive experience in developing initiatives that strengthen children’s and young people’s mental health.
• Kavli Trust has supported the organisation’s work since 2022, providing funding for the development of the “Melva” and “Future Ready” programmes.
• In 2025–2027, Kavli Trust is supporting the “Creative Health – National Development” initiative with NOK 3 million over three years.
• The goal is to reach more than 50,000 children and young people with creative initiatives that promote mental health, wellbeing and life skills.
• The digital school programme “Melva” will be further developed and made available nationally to additional age groups, while teachers and healthcare professionals will receive training in creative approaches.
• A national centre for creative health initiatives will be established in Ashington as a model for future local and national delivery.
• The project is grounded in the principles of early intervention and prevention, and supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.