Place2Be’s Arts & Minds Gala raises over £382,000 for children’s mental health 

On June 18 2026, a full house of 230 guests attended the third Arts & Minds Gala Dinner, sponsored by LAVA Advisory Partners, at Smith Square Hall in Westminster, raising £382,000 for children and young people’s mental health.

The evening was hosted by renowned actor and Place2Be supporter David Harewood OBE and featured stunning live musical performances from:

• The Royal Ballet and Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme

• pupils from Lady Margaret School choir, one of Place2Be’s partner schools

• acclaimed swing band Jazzbomb.

Guests heard from Harriet James-Coombes, Assistant Headteacher at Lady Margaret School. In a powerful address, she shared her experience of the difference Place2Be makes in the school.

In a live auction hosted by the dynamic Christie’s auctioneer Natalia Voinova guests had the opportunity to bid for luxury experiences and prizes kindly donated by supporters and friends of Place2Be. 
 
We express our gratitude to our generous sponsors and supporters, and all those who helped make the evening possible. The event wouldn’t be possible without them. A huge thank you to: 

• LAVA Advisory Partners (Headline Sponsor) 

• Marshall Wace (Platinum Sponsor) 

• Bloomberg LP (Gold Sponsor) 

• Mars Pet Food Nutrition (Gold Sponsor) 

• Lewis Advisors (Champagne Sponsor) 

• Told London (Scent Partner) 

• the Arts & Minds Gala Committee: Caroline Sherman (Chair), Grace Newey, Jessica Nussenbaum and Roxanne Reynolds 

• our live auction contributors: Jetfly, Nadine Aysoy, HOTEL CHOCOLAT and Antonia Bellini 

• children from Lady Margaret School 

• goodie bag sponsors Rare Beauty and Gymkhana Fine Foods 

• We also give special thanks to our host David Harewood OBE, the team at Focus Productions, After Achillea, Christie’s, The Royal Ballet and Opera, Jazzbomb, Live Event Artist (Lucy McLoughlin) and Place2Be Champion Xavier Laurent Leopold. 

Place2Be created Arts & Minds in 2022 to shine a light on art as a creative tool to develop resilience and connect with each other and is held every two years.  
 
Through Arts & Minds, we have raised even more funds to advance our work, and collectively all three events have now raised almost £1million for Place2Be. We can now do more to provide mental health support for children, young people, families, and staff in UK schools. Our enormous thanks to all those who contributed, and who have helped further our mission of ensuring no child or young person has to face their mental health challenges alone.