A Song for Belonging
The initiative marks Children’s Mental Health Week (9–15 February 2026) and is a cornerstone of Uplift, Calm, & Connect—a partnership between the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and the leading mental health charity Place2Be.
The theme for 2026, “This is My Place,” focuses on the vital importance of belonging. For Chambers, a classically trained pianist and long-time collaborator of Robbie Williams, the project is deeply personal. Having witnessed the intense pressures of fame and the mental health challenges faced by young stars, Chambers has become a vocal advocate for better support systems within the creative industries.
“Every child deserves to feel they have a place where they belong, and music has this incredible ability to create that sense of connection,” said Chambers. “Working with young people to write their own anthem gives them ownership of their story.”
Music as a Mental Health Tool
The program highlights a growing movement to integrate music education with emotional development. Lang Lang, the world-renowned pianist and foundation founder, emphasized that creativity is essential for resilience: “Music has the extraordinary power to reach into the hearts of young people, to calm, uplift, and connect them.”
Place2Be CEO Catherine Roche echoed this sentiment, noting that melody and rhythm are transformative tools for building community and fostering joy. By the end of the session, the students will have more than just a song; they will have a collective voice.
The completed anthem will be performed for the wider school community, serving as a lasting reminder that every child’s experience matters. As the music industry faces ongoing scrutiny regarding the protection of young artists, this collaboration stands as a proactive model for using music to nurture, rather than pressure, the next generation.
