The Millennium Forum in Derry has launched the Your Stage project to support youth mental health. Local young people lead the initiative, which runs weekly sessions for Year 8 to Year 14 students, ages 11 to 18. Workshops cover mindfulness, fitness, drama, and dance to help manage emotions and develop coping strategies.

The project partners with ARC Fitness and receives funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland via National Lottery funds. Cara McCartney, Creative Engagement and Development Manager at the Millennium Forum, noted gratitude for the support amid financial pressures on arts organisations and constrained public funding. She highlighted the importance of funding as a registered charity to offer such opportunities to young people.

Lorraine Calderwood, Development Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, expressed delight in backing the project. She anticipates positive effects on the mental health and wellbeing of Derry's young people from the creative and supportive team.

Gary Rutherford, Founder and CEO of ARC Fitness, stated pride in the partnership. He described the collaboration as combining creativity, movement, and connection to provide a safe space for healthy coping strategies and confidence-building through self-expression.

Sessions occur Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm at the Millennium Forum. Participants work with professional arts facilitators and health professionals toward performance opportunities. Contact Mags Anderson at the Millennium Forum for details.